Water–mineral interaction in hygromechanics of clays exposed to environmental loads: a mixture-theory approach

Abstract

Water–mineral interaction in narrow interstices (<30 Å (1 Å = 0.1 nm)) in dense, saturated clays is discussed in view of recent experimental findings and molecular dynamics simulations. Consequences to the macroscopic behavior are considered. A mixture theory for two interacting constituents is developed. Effects of temperature and chemicals are discussed. A postulate of mass transfer of adsorbed water from solid to fluid fraction caused by thermal or chemical load is then discussed. Theory of plasticity of clays affected by heat or chemicals is developed to deal with the effects of thermal and chemical consolidation. Key words : hydraulic conductivity, effective stress, environmental loads, thermo-chemo-plasticity.