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Assessing shrink/swell properties of two argillaceous soils from the Paris Basin: a comparison of cation exchange determination methods

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Abstract

A comparison between three methods of determining cation exchange capacity values has been undertaken in order to evaluate the applicability of methylene blue for characterization of clayey soils. The Argiles vertes de Romainville, Marnes bleues d’Argenteuil (two very plastic, loamy soils from the Paris Basin which are known to experience shrink/swell) were tested in their natural and purified states, as well as samples of smectite, illite and interstratified illlite/smectite. The results from the methylene blue, turbidimetric and cobalt hexamine methods were similar, although the methylene blue gave slightly higher values. It is concluded that the differences seen are likely to be due simply to the degree of accuracy available with the various methods. Hence, the quicker and more convenient methylene blue method was realistic for use by geotechnical engineers. However, attention is drawn to the need to continue these tests to the “end point” which is some 24 h after the solution has stabilised.

Résumé

Une comparaison entre trois méthodes de détermination de la capacité d’échange de cations a été réalisée afin d’évaluer la méthode d’adsorption de bleu de méthylène pour les sols argileux. Les Argiles vertes de Romainville, les Marnes bleues d’Argenteuil (deux formations argileuses plastiques du bassin de Paris réputées pour leur aptitude au retrait-gonflement) ont été testées en état naturel et purifié, ainsi que des échantillons de smectite, d’illite et d’interstratifié illite/smectite. Les résultats obtenus à partir de la méthode au bleu de méthylène, la méthode turbidimétrique et la méthode au cobalt hexamine sont semblables, bien que la méthode au bleu de méthylène donne des valeurs légèrement plus fortes. On conclut que les différences observées sont probablement dues au niveau de précision attaché à chaque méthode. De ce fait, la méthode d’adsorption de bleu de méthylène, plus rapide et pratique, apparaît correcte pour les caractérisations géotechniques. Cependant, l’attention est attirée sur la nécessité de poursuivre ces tests à terme, ce qui correspond à une durée de 24 h après stabilisation de la solution.

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Acknowledgments

This work was carried out within the framework of the research project “Shrink/swell hazard and damage” supported by Fondation MAIF.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre de Géosciences, Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Mines de Paris, Université Marne-la-Vallée, Bât IFI, 5 Bd Descartes; Champs-sur-Marne, 77454, Marne-la-Vallée cedex 2, France

    Saoussen Laribi, Martine Audiguier & Roger Cojean

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  1. Saoussen Laribi
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  2. Martine Audiguier
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  3. Roger Cojean
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Correspondence to Saoussen Laribi.

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Laribi, S., Audiguier, M. & Cojean, R. Assessing shrink/swell properties of two argillaceous soils from the Paris Basin: a comparison of cation exchange determination methods. Bull Eng Geol Environ 67, 415–424 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-008-0149-y

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