Effect of heating on clay characteristics

Abstract

This study explores the influence of temperature under controlled laboratory conditions on four clayey soils collected from Lebanon. The focus is particularly on understanding how compacted clay, commonly used for secure nuclear waste disposal, reacts at elevated temperatures. The soils were exposed to four temperature levels: normal, 200°C, 400°C, and 600°C. Various soil characteristics, including optimum water content, maximum dry density, and specific gravity, were investigated. The experimental results reveal that subjecting the soils to a temperature of 400°C resulted in a decrease in optimum water content and an increase in maximum dry density. Conversely, exposure to 600°C produced contrasting effects, with an increase in optimum water content and a decrease in maximum dry density. It is noteworthy that no significant changes were observed in the specific gravity of the Lebanese soil.