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Influence of variables on the consolidation and unconfined compressive strength of crushed salt: Technical report

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6883385· OSTI ID:6883385

Eight hydrostatic compression creep tests were performed on crushed salt specimens fabricated from Avery Island dome salt. Following the creep test, each specimen was tested in unconfined compression. The experiments were performed to assess the influence of the following four variables on the consolidation and unconfined strength of crushed salt: grain size distribution, temperature, time, and moisture content. The experiment design comprised a half-fraction factorial matrix at two levels. The levels of each variable investigated were grain size distribution, uniform-graded and well-graded (coefficient of uniformity of 1 and 8); temperature 25/sup 0/C and 100/sup 0/C; time, 3.5 x 10/sup 3/s and 950 x 10/sup 3/s (approximately 60 minutes and 11 days, respectively); and moisture content, dry and wet (85% relative humidity for 24 hours). The hydrostatic creep stress was 10 MPa. The unconfined compression tests were performed at an axial strain rate of 1 x 10/sup -5/s/sup -1/. Results show that the variables time and moisture content have the greatest influence on creep consolidation, while grain size distribution and, to a somewhat lesser degree, temperature have the greatest influence on total consolidation. Time and moisture content and the confounded two-factor interactions between either grain size distribution and time or temperature and moisture content have the greatest influence on unconfined strength. 7 refs., 7 figs., 11 tabs.

Research Organization:
RE/SPEC, Inc., Rapid City, SD (USA); Battelle Memorial Inst., Columbus, OH (USA). Office of Nuclear Waste Isolation
DOE Contract Number:
AC02-83CH10140
OSTI ID:
6883385
Report Number(s):
BMI/ONWI-627; ON: DE87005209
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English