Engineering geological characterization of clayey diatomaceous earth deposits encountered in highway projects in the Tengchong region, Yunnan, China

Zhang, Yongshuang; Guo, Changbao; Yao, Xiyu; Qu, Yongxin; Zhou, Nengjuan

doi:10.1016/j.enggeo.2013.10.009

Cited by 34 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…These microorganisms whose size can vary from 20 to 200 microns have become fossilized through the geological ages, becoming an inherent part of the soil and changing its properties [4][5][6]. Diatomaceous earth, or diatomite as it is known in the scientific literature [7], are the fossilized diatoms which have settled in seas and lakes (periods near 40 million years) forming marine and lacustrine soil deposits in many parts of the world, such as Mexico City, Bogotá, the capital of Colombia, Osaka Bay in Japan, California in the US, seabed sediments in the Antarctic, Yunnan in China, and the Indian Ocean [8][9][10][11]. Given its morphology of hollow structure, the diatomite has a high porosity which helps it to retain a high amount of water.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of the Diatomite Specie on the Peak and Residual Shear Strength of the Fine-Grained Soil

et al. 2021

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Diatomite is a powdering mineral mainly composed of diatom microfossils present in marine and lacustrine soils, which influences their physical and mechanical properties. Although many articles have been found in the literature concerning the influence of diatomite in the overall behavior of natural soils, few research efforts have been carried out to evaluate the influence of the diatom microfossil species on their shear resistance. Therefore, in this research, the influence of the diatomite species and the content in the peak and the residual shear strength of diatomite-fine grained soil mixtures was analyzed using the annular shear strength test. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Atterberg limits were also carried out as additional tests to explain the interlocking effect between the microfossils and the soil. Overall, both diatomite species increased both peak and residual shear strength of the soil similar to dense sands. Nevertheless, the Mexican species reveal higher friction angle values compared with Colombian species.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of the Diatomite Specie on the Peak and Residual Shear Strength of the Fine-Grained Soil

et al. 2021

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“…In terms of geotechnical implications, the presence of oozes could considerably influence the strength of sediments and reduce their resistance to shear failure even in minor quantities (Urlaub, Geersen, Krastel, & Schwenk, ). Sediments containing diatom oozes are typically characterized by increased water content, permeability, compressibility and high intraparticle water signifying their potential to release significant amounts of excess fluid (Moernaut et al., ; Tanaka & Locat, ; Wiemer, Dziadek, & Kopf, ; Zhang, Guo, Yao, Qu, & Zhou, ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Episodic fluid flow as a trigger for Miocene‐Pliocene slope instability on the Utgard High, Norwegian Sea

Omosanya

2018

Basin Research

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Mass wasting is triggered on many continental slopes by a number of mechanisms, including seismic shaking, high sedimentation rates, the presence of weak geological units and gas hydrate dissociation. In this study, the morphology of a Late Miocene-Early Pliocene mass-transport complex (MTC) on the Utgard High is unravelled and discussed in relation to possible trigger mechanisms. The approach used here includes 3D seismic interpretation and the analysis of variance attribute maps. The interpreted MTC is located on the crest and flanks of the Utgard High and is composed of three mass-transport deposits with seismic characters varying from transparent and chaotic seismic facies at the base to slightly deformed layers composed of mounds and rafted blocks in the middle and chaotic to transparent reflections at the top. Lithologically, the MTC consists predominantly of claystone with high gamma ray and low density and resistivity values, demonstrating that the associated mounds represent remobilized ooze sediments. A vertical stack of six magmatic sills emplaced from 55.6 to 56.3 Ma into the Upper Cretaceous shales is interpreted at depths of 3,000-5,500 ms two-way travel time (TWTT). In association with these magmatic sills are several hydrothermal vent complexes that interacted with the top MTC horizon, signifying that episodic and secondary fluid-venting events might be the principal mechanism facilitating mass wasting in the study area. In addition, the remobilization of ooze sediments into mounds is hypothesized to be dependent on fluids and clayey layers. As a corollary of this work, the importance of relict and recurrent episodes of fluid flow in the Vøring Basin and their influence on the geotechnical integrity of the overburden and later mass wasting is established.

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“…Prior studies have shown that diatomaceous earth has the undesirable property of deteriorating when exposed to water [19][20][21][22][23], and the climate in Shengzhou exhibits alternating wet and dry cycles, so outdoor observation tests were carried out first. A portion of the excavated diatomaceous earth layer was selected as the test section and was covered with colored cloth only for initial protection, and its condition was observed after one month.…”

Section: Hydrophysical and Physical Properties Of Diatomaceous Earthmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimental Study of the Dynamic Characteristics of a New Antidrainage Subgrade Structure for High-Speed Railways in Diatomaceous Earth Areas

Deng

Wang

et al. 2022

Materials

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The experience needed to carry out engineering and construction in diatomaceous earth areas is currently lacking. This project studies the new Hang Shaotai high-speed railway passing through a diatomaceous earth area in Shengzhou, Zhejiang Province, and analyzes the hydrological and mechanical properties of diatomaceous earth on the basis of a field survey and laboratory. Moreover, a new antidrainage subgrade structure was proposed to address the rainy local environment, and field excitation tests were performed to verify the antidrainage performance and stability of the new subgrade structure. Finally, the dynamic characteristics and deformation of the diatomaceous earth roadbed were examined. The hydrophysical properties of diatomaceous earth in the area are extremely poor, and the disintegration resistance index ranges from 3.1% to 9.0%. The antidrainage subgrade structure has good water resistance and stability under dynamic loading while submerged in water. After 700,000 loading cycles, the dynamic stress and vibration acceleration of the surface of the subgrade bed stabilized at approximately 6.37 kPa and 0.94 m/s2, respectively. When the number of excitations reached 2 million, the settlement of the diatomaceous earth foundation was 0.08 mm, and there was basically negligible postwork settlement of the diatomaceous earth foundation. These results provide new insights for engineering construction in diatomaceous earth areas.

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Engineering geological characterization of clayey diatomaceous earth deposits encountered in highway projects in the Tengchong region, Yunnan, China

Cited by 34 publications

References 13 publications

Influence of the Diatomite Specie on the Peak and Residual Shear Strength of the Fine-Grained Soil

Influence of the Diatomite Specie on the Peak and Residual Shear Strength of the Fine-Grained Soil

Episodic fluid flow as a trigger for Miocene‐Pliocene slope instability on the Utgard High, Norwegian Sea

Experimental Study of the Dynamic Characteristics of a New Antidrainage Subgrade Structure for High-Speed Railways in Diatomaceous Earth Areas

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