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Effect of decompression and suction on macroscopic and microscopic behavior of a clay rock

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Abstract

The goal in this research was to analyze the effects of decompression and suction on the formation of cracks in a clay rock from the Andra (French National Radioactive Waste Management Agency) site at Bure (Meuse–Haute-Marne, France). The article investigates the relationship between the changes in the hydromechanical properties and the changes in microstructure and porosity. Concerning the effect of decompression, at the macroscopic scale, the study highlighted an important effect on the elastic modulus and permeability, but little effect at the microscopic scale except an evolution of mineralogy related to the oxidation of pyrite often present in layers where cracks develop. Concerning the effect of suction, at the macroscopic level, the results showed that, on drying path, the change in the properties of the material was very small, whereas, on wetting path, a large decrease in tensile strength and gas permeability was observed. At the microscopic level, observations with SEM and ESEM, and measurements with MIP, highlighted the evolution of microstructural organization as a function of suction, and the propagation and enlargement of cracks on wetting path, rather than on drying path.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire de Mécanique des Sols, Structures et Matériaux, Centrale-Supélec - CNRS UMR 8579, Châtenay-Malabry, France

    Xin Wei & Jean-Marie Fleureau

  2. Laboratoire SRO, Département Géotechnique, Environnement, Risques Naturels et Sciences de la Terre, Institut Français des Sciences et Technologies des Transports, de l’aménagement et des réseaux, Université Paris-Est, Marne-la-Vallée, France

    Myriam Duc

  3. Laboratoire d’Étude des Microstructures et de Mécanique des Matériaux, Université de Lorraine - CNRS UMR 7239, Metz, France

    Xin Wei & Mahdia Hattab

  4. Ecole et Observatoire des Sciences de la Terre, Institut de Physique du Globe de Strasbourg (CNRS/UdS UMR 7516), 5 rue René Descartes, 67084, Strasbourg Cedex, France

    Thierry Reuschlé

  5. Laboratoire Ondes et Milieux complexes, Université du Havre - CNRS UMR 6294, Le Havre, France

    Said Taibi

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  1. Xin Wei
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Correspondence to Mahdia Hattab.

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Wei, X., Duc, M., Hattab, M. et al. Effect of decompression and suction on macroscopic and microscopic behavior of a clay rock. Acta Geotech. 12, 47–65 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-016-0454-8

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