SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 1977
STP26989S

Factors Influencing Dispersive Clays and Methods of Identification

Source

Recent laboratory studies of the erosive behavior of consolidated soils using the rotating cylinder apparatus showed that the stress required to initiate erosion is affected significantly by the amount and type of clay, pH, organic matter, temperature, water content, thixotropy, pore, and eroding fluid composition.

Using the concept of critical shear stress as measured using the rotating cylinder and the flume, a quantitative criteria for a dispersive clay system is defined as one with a critical shear stress, τc equals zero. Using this criterion, qualitative methods of predicting dispersive clays are examined. It is concluded that most of the qualitative tests used for the identification of dispersive clays suffer from the serious drawback of subjective identification criteria. Proper correlation of the results obtained from the qualitative tests for the condition of τc = 0 will provide a better basis for dispersive clay identification.

The potential use of “free swell test” as a predictive criterion is indicated.

Author Information

Heinzen, RT
J. H. Kleinfelders Associates, Stockton, Calif.
Arulanandan, K
University of California, Davis, Calif.
Price: $25.00
Contact Sales
Related
Reprints and Permissions
Reprints and copyright permissions can be requested through the
Copyright Clearance Center
Details
Developed by Committee: D18
Pages: 202–217
DOI: 10.1520/STP26989S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-4696-9
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-0192-0