Effect of oil-contamination and water saturation on the bearing capacity and shear strength parameters of silty sandy soil

Petroleum products, besides being the core of the energy source, frequently result in the contamination of subsurface soils. Clay minerals, being electrochemically active components of soils, are t...

Molecular-level simulations of oil-contaminated clays

Clays are chemically active electrolyte-gas-solid systems. Their microfabric and physicochemical forces determine much of their physical properties and subsequent mechanical behavior. The prevailing physical and chemical conditions at the time of deposition influence the spatial arrangement of the clay particles. Changing environmental conditions such as temperature, pH, salinity, electrolyte concentration, and type, as well as the dielectric constant of the pore fluid may change the stability of the initially attained structures by inducing new particle associations and affecting pore sizes and pore fluid properties. Such changes subsequently may affect the ability of the clay to carry effective stresses as well as affecting its permeability, consistency, and volume change characteristics. An example of this situation is the ground migration or accidental spill of contaminants that may result in prolonged contact or permanent saturation of soils with chemicals. Prediction of long-term performance of clays under such potential circumstances needs to be based on all conceivable physical, chemical, and biological changes within the system.

S. Pamukcu

Papers

Influence of some environmental activities on physical and mechanical behaviour of clays.