Role of Clay Mineralogy in the Estimation of Permeability Coefficient in Compacted Fine-grained Soils

Abstract

The foundations constructed upon the soils are depending upon the three major criteria i.e., strength, stiffness, and stability. In all three cases, the subsoil is expected to be in a compacted state. In coarse-grained soils, the result of compaction is a problem of substantiality, whereas physicochemical sort of response for fine soils. There is comparatively limited research known about the effects of clay mineralogy on the permeability properties of fine-grained soils, as well as different placement conditions and energy levels. In this study, consolidation behavior will be estimated for the six field soils and one artificial soil having different liquid limits, the Mineralogical composition of clay, and its plasticity properties under placement conditions like 95% of the γd max on dry and wet sides, and at OMC. The permeability behavior of these soils under study is computed by calculating the IS Light and Heavy Compaction energy levels' corresponding consolidation properties (Cv and Mv) using five practical approaches that have been described in the literature. The coefficient of permeability (K) of soils is calculated accurately with a fair degree of accuracy by 1-D consolidation test data like Cv and Mv. The estimated values of K were compared with the K values obtained from experimental studies under various stages of loading, and it was observed that there was good agreement between the two. These results were validated using Abaqus software through Finite Element Modelling analysis.