Effect of temperature on volume change behaviour of statically compacted kaolin clay

Several soils are subjected to high temperature due to the environment where they are located or activities around them. For instance, the upper layer of soils in tropical regions, soils around geothermal structures, clay barriers around nuclear waste repository systems. Numerous studies have pointed out that high temperature affects the hydro-mechanical properties of soils. Notwithstanding already existing studies, the influence of temperature on soils is still a challenge, as most of these studies are soil specific and cannot be inferred as the behaviour of all soils. This paper presents an experimental study on the influence of temperature on the volume change behaviour of statically compacted kaolin clay. Compacted samples were tested at 25oC and 50oC using a suction controlled oedometer cell. The influence of temperature on the magnitude of volumetric strain occurring during mechanical and thermal loading was investigated. The study showed that an increase in temperature increased the magnitude of volumetric strain observed on loading. Additionally, the results presented in the light of LC curve showed that an increase in temperature resulted in the contraction and a shift in the position of the LC curve.