Winter effects on hydraulic conductivity of compacted clay

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1995 · Journal of Geotechnical Engineering; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9410(1995)121:1(69)· OSTI ID:6650282

Benson, C H; Abichou, T H; Bosscher, P J ^[1]; Olson, M A ^[2]

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1. Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison, WI (United States). Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering
2. Environmental Quality Co., Ypsilanti, MI (United States)

A field test was conducted to determine if freeze-thaw cycles cause increases in hydraulic conductivity in the field, as has been observed in laboratory tests. A test pad of compacted clay was instrumented for monitoring temperatures and climatic conditions and partially insulated. The measurements indicated that up to 10 cycles of freeze-thaw occurred in the uninsulated portion of the test pad whereas no freezing occurred in the insulated portion. Hydraulic-conductivity tests were conducted before and after winter to determine if changes in hydraulic conductivity occurred as a result of winter exposure. In situ hydraulic-conductivity tests showed that the overall hydraulic conductivity was similar in the insulated and uninsulated portions of the test pad before and after winter. No change in overall hydraulic conductivity occurred in the uninsulated region because the depth of frost penetration was only 30% of the thickness of the test pad. However, tests on block specimens collected from near-surface soil that underwent freezing and thawing increased in hydraulic conductivity by a factor of 50--300. Similar increases in hydraulic conductivity were measured using laboratory freeze-thaw tests.

• OSTI ID: 6650282
• Journal Information: Journal of Geotechnical Engineering; (United States), Journal Name: Journal of Geotechnical Engineering; (United States) Vol. 121:1; ISSN 0733-9410; ISSN JGENDZ
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540250* -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Site Resource & Use Studies-- (1990-)
CLAYS
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
HYDRAULIC CONDUCTIVITY
LINERS
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
MATERIALS TESTING
MICHIGAN
NORTH AMERICA
SANITARY LANDFILLS
SEASONAL VARIATIONS
TESTING
USA
VARIATIONS
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT