Hydraulic conductivity of frozen granular soils

Journal Article · Fri Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1996 · Journal of Environmental Engineering

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9372(1996)122:3(212)· OSTI ID:207894

Andersland, O B; Wiggert, D C; Davies, S H ^[1]

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1. Michigan State Univ., East Lansing, MI (United States). Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Frozen soil barriers are used for the subsurface containment of liquid contaminants so as to prevent their migration before and during soil remediation. Questions concerning the imperviousness of a frozen soil barrier to liquid contaminants provided the impetus for this study. Hydraulic-conductivity measurements, using a conventional falling-head permeameter with close control on temperature, have been performed on a frozen gravelly sand for ice-saturation levels of 0--100%. The dry frozen soil ({minus}10 C), with decane (a nonaqueous liquid) as the permeant, has a hydraulic conductivity (K) about the same as the unfrozen soil would have for water. An increase in ice saturation with a decrease in the open pore space reduced the frozen soil conductivity. At full ice saturation, measured K-values were less than 10{sup {minus}4} mm/s (10{sup {minus}5} cm/s). Data show that a clay additive (bentonite) will help retain water so as to give a high degree of ice saturation in a granular soil. The effects of ice erosion in the frozen soil by water-soluble liquid contaminants and brines are introduced.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 207894
• Journal Information: Journal of Environmental Engineering, Journal Name: Journal of Environmental Engineering Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 122; ISSN 0733-9372; ISSN JOEEDU
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
HYDRAULIC CONDUCTIVITY
LIQUID WASTES
POLLUTANTS
REMEDIAL ACTION
SOILS