Interaggregate Forces and Energy Potential Effect on Clay Deformation

International audienceThis study aims to propose a new model for clay behavior by incorporating physical-chemical effects acting between clay clusters using the Chang and Hicher micromechanical approach. Local mechanisms are thus introduced through repulsive and attractive forces similar to double-layer van der Waals forces, which are obtained from the derivation of energy potentials. A specific study of local parameters and their evolution is conducted using experimental data from the mineralogy variation provoked by the variation of a remolded saturated reconstituted clayey mixture consisting of kaolinite and montmorillonite ranging from 0 to 100% montmorillonite. Using scale transition, the results of micro-macrocalculations under an isotropic loading path show a very good agreement with experimental results