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Estimation of Solute Concentrations in Micro-pore and Macro-pore Solutions of Compacted Bentonite–Sand Mixtures

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Abstract

Densely compacted bentonite has been identified as a potential buffer in deep geological repositories as the expansive clay satisfies the hydro-mechanical and physico-chemical functions of the buffer material. A key feature in understanding the hydro-mechanical behaviour of compacted bentonite upon exposure to chemical concentration gradients is to estimate the solute concentrations in micro-pore and macro-pore solutions. This study describes a method based on measurements of total surface area, external surface area, c-axis (2d) spacings and volumetric calculations to determine the solute concentrations in micro-pore and macro-pore solutions of compacted bentonite-enhanced sand (BES) specimens. Results of the study with Barmer bentonite-based BES specimens illustrate that cation concentrations in micro-pore and macro-pore solutions are sensitive to variations in dry density. Further, the exchangeable cation concentrations in the micro-pore solution exceed the soluble salt-cation concentrations in the macro-pore solution of Barmer bentonite.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Guwahati, India

    K. Ravi

  2. Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, 560012, India

    Sudhakar M. Rao

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  1. K. Ravi
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  2. Sudhakar M. Rao
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Correspondence to K. Ravi.

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Ravi, K., Rao, S.M. Estimation of Solute Concentrations in Micro-pore and Macro-pore Solutions of Compacted Bentonite–Sand Mixtures. Geotech Geol Eng 35, 517–525 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-016-0105-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-016-0105-8

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