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an engineering geological characterisation of tropical clays - GBV

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91<br />

Activity chart<br />

Plasticity index PI (%) <strong>of</strong><br />

whole sample<br />

100<br />

50<br />

0<br />

LOW<br />

Activity = 2,0<br />

HIGH<br />

MEDIUM<br />

VERY HIGH<br />

Activity = 1,0<br />

Activity= 0,5<br />

0 50 100<br />

Black <strong>clays</strong><br />

Red soils<br />

% clay in whole sample<br />

Figure 7.2. Activity level classification <strong>of</strong> black <strong>clays</strong> <strong>an</strong>d red soils in this study (After,<br />

NAVFAC, 1982).<br />

Results <strong>of</strong> Atterberg limits <strong>an</strong>d /or activity values have also been used to asses the probable<br />

type <strong>of</strong> clay minerals present in the soils, based on the classification by Skempton (1953) <strong>an</strong>d<br />

Day (2001), i.e. Table (7.1). It is therefore <strong>an</strong>ticipated that black <strong>clays</strong> which exhibit activity<br />

values <strong>of</strong> 1,10–3,38 (me<strong>an</strong>: 1,87) are mainly smectites (Ca-montmorillonites mainly); while<br />

the red soils with activity values <strong>of</strong> 0,83-1,03 (me<strong>an</strong>: 0,94) would be predominated by<br />

kaolinite <strong>an</strong>d / or illite (Table 7.3). This prediction has been confirmed by actual clay<br />

mineralogical studies on the soils which showed the black <strong>clays</strong> to be over 90% smectites in<br />

composition; while the red soils are mainly kaolinite (80% <strong>an</strong>d over).<br />

In addition, results <strong>of</strong> Atterberg limits obtained during first stage tests served to aid in the<br />

selection <strong>of</strong> samples for chemical/ mineralogical <strong>an</strong>alyses as well as more detailed soil studies<br />

involving shear strength <strong>an</strong>d consolidation-settlement tests.<br />

7.1.4 Free swell test (after Gibbs & Holtz, 1956)<br />

7.1.4.1 Scope<br />

This test was carried out to determine the increase in volume <strong>of</strong> clay soils from a loose dry<br />

powder-form condition when poured into water, expressed as a percentage <strong>of</strong> the original<br />

volume.<br />

According to Gibbs <strong>an</strong>d Holtz (1956), the amount <strong>of</strong> free swell serves to be indicative <strong>of</strong> the<br />

probable swelling <strong>an</strong>d/ or exp<strong>an</strong>sive behaviour <strong>of</strong> clay soils, especially when wetted from<br />

relatively dry conditions under light structural loads.<br />

A classification <strong>of</strong> soils based on free swell is summarised in Table (7.4).

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