Physico-chemical approach to the consolidation mechanism of soft clays

This study attempts to (a) distinguish the primary and secondary phases of soft clays consolidation under incremental and continuous loading, (b) investigate the consolidation mechanisms of such clays under elevated temperature conditions. Quantitative chemical analysis were used to generate time-dependent variations of concentrations of Ca²⁺ and Na⁺ cations present in the pore fluid drained from clay samples. The greater increases in the concentrations of divalent Ca²⁺ cations observed during secondary and elevated temperatures demonstrated the progressive deformation of micro-pores. Regarded to be the main cause of aging 'effects' from elevated temperature consolidation was the acceleration of secondary clay compression.