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Kaolinite – alkali interaction and effects on basic properties

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Abstract

The influence of type and amount of clays present in soils on their properties is well understood. The clays exert their influence through large specific surface area and charges on them. Their effect is mostly exhibited through inter particle bonding and subsequent particle associations. The mineralogical influence of soils in water is well documented. However, the change in soil water system because of presence some of the contaminants can greatly influence the soil behaviour. Some of the changes are due to formation of new compounds due to interactions between the soil and pollutant. The paper reports the effect of interaction of kaolinite mineral with alkali on the index properties of soils from which the geotechnical behaviour can be understood. Detailed X-ray diffraction studies have shown that sodium aluminum silicate hydroxide hydrate (NASH) is formed by clay alkali reactions. The type and amount of formation of the compound is influenced by the concentration of alkali solution. While the compound formed is in smaller quantities with 1 N NaOH solution, significantly high quantity is formed with 4 N NaOH solution. Presence of alumina is shown to play a significant role. It was observed that the formation of sodium aluminum silicate hydroxide hydrate is reduced in the presence of alumina. Specific gravity of contaminated clay soil was reduced which confirms the formation of new compounds. Water adsorption and specific surface area of soil are also influenced due to soil alkali interaction. The changes in the free swell and index properties of soil in the presence of alkali have been explained by the changes in soil fabric and the formation of new compound.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, 560 012, India

    Puvvadi Venkata Sivapullaiah &  Manju

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  1. Puvvadi Venkata Sivapullaiah
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  2. Manju
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Correspondence to Puvvadi Venkata Sivapullaiah.

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Sivapullaiah, P.V., Manju Kaolinite – alkali interaction and effects on basic properties. Geotech Geol Eng 23, 601–614 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-004-1661-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-004-1661-x

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