Variation in the Microstructure of Clay Soil during Deformation under Triaxial Compression with Consideration of the Occurrence of Deformation Instability

Abstract

The variation in the microstructure of clay soils during their deformation under triaxial compression conditions is considered. A comprehensive procedure for the numerical description of variations in the structural features of clay soils during their deformation under triaxial compression conditions is proposed. The research results suggest that major variations in the sample structure occur at the time of deformation instability. These variations include the redistribution of the pore space and the pronounced orientation of the structural elements of the soil. Further deformation of the soil does not change the ratio of the number of pores, but the orientation of the structural elements increases throughout the entire deformation process.