Macro- and Micro-Characteristics and Mechanical Properties of Xigeda Formation Claystone in Luding County, Western Sichuan, China

Ruian Wu (), Xiang Li (), Changbao Guo, Jiawei Ni, Yang Wang, Deguang Song and Chang Qi
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Ruian Wu: Institute of Geomechanics, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
Xiang Li: Institute of Geomechanics, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
Changbao Guo: Institute of Geomechanics, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
Jiawei Ni: Institute of Geomechanics, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
Yang Wang: Institute of Geomechanics, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
Deguang Song: Institute of Geomechanics, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
Chang Qi: Institute of Geomechanics, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing 100081, China

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 17, 1-17

Abstract: Claystone is actually a type of hard soil or soft rock. To reveal the engineering geological characteristics of the Xigeda formation claystone in Luding County (Western Sichuan, China), some experiments, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and geotechnical tests, are performed. The testing results indicate that the Xigeda formation claystone primarily consists of silt, clay, and other fine-grained materials. It is characterized by interbedded yellow and gray thin layers with a horizontal lamination structure. The yellow and gray claystones are made of the same materials but differ in their proportions. Additionally, yellow claystone is characterized by a higher density, resulting in enhanced cementation among clay particles. The permeability coefficient of Xigeda formation claystones ranges from 3.62 × 10 −4 ~7.34 × 10 −4 cm/s. The cohesion of yellow and gray claystones decreases with increasing moisture content, and the decline is greater at higher moisture contents. However, the relationship between internal friction angle and moisture content is different. The mechanical properties of the Xigeda formation exhibit significant differences in sensitivity to changes in moisture content across various regions. Notably, the claystone within the study region experiences a particularly pronounced weakening of its mechanical properties when exposed to water.

Keywords: hard soil and soft rock; geotechnical test; microstructure; permeability; mechanical property (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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