Compressibility behavior of Boron (Tincal) added to sand-bentonite mixtures under different temperatures

The importance of thermal behaviour of soils has increased significantly with increasing number of energy structures. There is a need for soils, which show design criteria (strength, permeability, etc.) performance during their life under high temperature or thermal cycles. In the literature studies, it was observed that the volumetric deformation of the soil changes with increasing temperature. Sand-bentonite mixtures generally act as impervious barrier in areas such as nuclear waste repositories, landfill liners etc. These mixtures will be exposed to high temperature; therefore, their engineering performance should not alter under high temperature. Boron is used in the industry for high temperature resistance, flexibility, lightness, power and ease of production. Boron minerals have very low thermal expansion and they are also resistant to thermal shocks. For that reason, the properties of sand-bentonite mixtures can be improved by boron additives at high temperatures. In this study, volume deformation behavior of sand-bentonite mixtures was determined in the presence of tincal. The oedometer tests were performed under room temperature and 80°C