Network modelling of the influence of swelling on the transport behaviour of bentonite

Athanasiadis, I., Wheeler, S. and Grassl, P. (2016) Network modelling of the influence of swelling on the transport behaviour of bentonite. Geosciences, 6(4), 55. (doi: 10.3390/geosciences6040055)

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Abstract

Wetting of bentonite is a complex hydro-mechanical process that involves swelling and, if confined, significant structural changes in its void structure. A coupled structural transport network model is proposed to investigate the effect of wetting of bentonite on retention conductivity and swelling pressure response. The transport network of spheres and pipes, representing voids and throats, respectively, relies on Laplace–Young’s equation to model the wetting process. The structural network uses a simple elasto-plastic approach without hardening to model the rearrangement of the fabric. Swelling is introduced in the form of an eigenstrain in the structural elements, which are adjacent to water filled spheres. For a constrained cell, swelling is shown to produce plastic strains, which result in a reduction of pipe and sphere spaces and, therefore, influence the conductivity and retention behaviour.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Grassl, Dr Peter and Athanasiadis, Dr Ignatios and Wheeler, Professor Simon
Authors: Athanasiadis, I., Wheeler, S., and Grassl, P.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Infrastructure and Environment
Journal Name:Geosciences
Publisher:MDPI
ISSN:2076-3263
ISSN (Online):2076-3263
Published Online:08 December 2016
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2016 The Authors
First Published:First published in Geosciences 6(4): 55
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons license

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
566601SAFE - a Systems Approach For Engineered BarriersPeter GrasslEngineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)EP/I036427/1ENG - ENGINEERING INFRASTRUCTURE & ENVIR