Abstract
The intent of this article is to investigate the microstructure characteristics and macroscopic mechanical behaviors of leachate-polluted compacted clays. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, and mercury intrusion porosimetry were used to observe the mineral component, microstructure of the compacted clays polluted by different concentrations of landfill leachate. One-dimensional swelling test, direct shear test, and permeability test were conducted to measure and analyze the swelling properties, shear strength, and permeability of leachate-polluted compacted clays. Results indicated that the leachate pollution caused a decrease in smectite content of compacted clays. Aggregate structure was destroyed by leachate pollution, causing an increase in the relative porosity of the smaller pores and a decrease in that of the larger pores. However, the total porosity increased with the leachate concentration because of the decrease in swelling deformation of compacted clay. Leachate pollution caused a significant increase in cohesion and a slight increase in internal friction angle of the compacted clays. Moreover, the permeability of the leachate-polluted compacted clays decreased with the increase in time and leachate concentration.
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Acknowledgments
This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (51379203), the National Basic Research Program (973) of China (2012CB719802), and the Open Research Fund of State Key Laboratory of Geomechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (No. Z014007).
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Zhao, Y., Xue, Q., Huang, Fx. et al. Experimental study on the microstructure and mechanical behaviors of leachate-polluted compacted clay. Environ Earth Sci 75, 1006 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-016-5816-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-016-5816-x