Interaggregate Forces and Energy Potential Effect on Clay Deformation

Abstract

This 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.