Engineering Commons^™

Effect Of Micro-Fabric On Consolidation Behavior Of Reconstituted Kaolin Clay, Alexander Page Davis-Smith

Masters Theses

The effect of micro-fabric (i.e. geometric arrangement of platelets) on the one-dimensional consolidation behavior of reconstituted kaolin clay is evaluated using a series of controlled-rate-of-strain (CRS) and incremental load (IL) consolidation tests. The causes and implications of changes in micro-fabric are also explored. Micro-fabric has been altered by adding a dispersing agent to the slurry during specimen preparation; and the changes in micro-fabric have been observed with scanning electron microscope (SEM) images and x-ray diffraction analysis. Properties of the pore fluid are found to affect micro-fabric, even in the presence of significant mechanical stresses. It is observed that the changes …