Plane axisymmetric modelling of open granular bentonite mixtures

A new contact model is proposed to improve the simulation of the hydration of granular bentonite mixtures. When these mixtures are abstracted as a discrete set of continuous systems in contact, excessively low predictions of swelling pressures are obtained when simulating the early stages of hydrati...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Navarro Gámir, Vicente, Torres Serra, Joel|||0000-0002-2267-4570, Romero Morales, Enrique Edgar|||0000-0002-4105-8941, Asensio Sánchez, Laura
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2024
País:España
Institución:Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)
Repositorio:UPCommons. Portal del coneixement obert de la UPC
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:upcommons.upc.edu:2117/407188
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/2117/407188
https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rineng.2024.101866
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Bentonite
Granular bentonite mixtures
Bentonite pellet
Granulated material
Megaporosity
Bentonite grain
Clay aggregate
Macroporosity
Microporosity
Bentonite units
Bentonita
Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Enginyeria civil::Geotècnia::Mecànica de sòls
Descripción
Sumario:A new contact model is proposed to improve the simulation of the hydration of granular bentonite mixtures. When these mixtures are abstracted as a discrete set of continuous systems in contact, excessively low predictions of swelling pressures are obtained when simulating the early stages of hydration using a plane axisymmetric approximation. This is especially true for relatively open structured mixtures with an average dry density less than 1.5 Mg/m3. The proposed contact model has allowed improved predictions while maintaining the axisymmetric analysis in the demanding inspection tests analysed. Hence, it is an interesting tool to simulate the whole homogenisation process of open granular bentonite mixtures. However, it is necessary to intensify its validation by analysing new experimental evidence, and to evaluate its development, because given its simplicity it presents some difficulties to reproduce the collapse of the megapores when hydration progresses.