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Volumetric consequences of particle loss by grading entropy

McDougall, J.R.; Imre, E.; Barreto, Daniel; Kelly, Darren

Authors

E. Imre

Darren Kelly



Abstract

Chemical and biological processes, such as dissolution in gypsiferous sands and biodegradation in waste refuse, result in mass or particle loss, which in turn lead to changes in solid and void phase volumes and grading. Data on phase volume and grading changes have been obtained from oedometric dissolution tests on sand–salt mixtures. Phase volume changes are defined by a (dissolution-induced) void volume change parameter (Λ). Grading changes are interpreted using grading entropy coordinates, which allow a grading curve to be depicted as a single data point and changes in grading as a vector quantity rather than a family of distribution curves. By combining Λ contours with pre- to post-dissolution grading entropy coordinate paths, an innovative interpretation of the volumetric consequences of particle loss is obtained. Paths associated with small soluble particles, the loss of which triggers relatively little settlement but large increase in void ratio, track parallel to the Λ contours. Paths associated with the loss of larger particles, which can destabilise the sand skeleton, tend to track across the Λ contours.

Citation

McDougall, J., Imre, E., Barreto, D., & Kelly, D. (2013). Volumetric consequences of particle loss by grading entropy. Géotechnique, 63(3), 262-266. https://doi.org/10.1680/geot.sip13.t.002

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date 2013-03
Deposit Date Apr 10, 2014
Print ISSN 0016-8505
Electronic ISSN 1751-7656
Publisher ICE Publishing
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 63
Issue 3
Pages 262-266
DOI https://doi.org/10.1680/geot.sip13.t.002
Keywords laboratory tests; settlement; fabric/structure of soils; constitutive relations; soil classification; particle-scale behaviour;
Public URL http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/id/eprint/6781
Publisher URL http://dx.doi.org/10.1680/geot.SIP13.T.002