No abstract

The soils surrounding energy geo-structures are exposed to high temperatures and temperature cycles.Changes in the engineering properties of soils should be investigated under thermal effects and soils that are highly durable against temperature changes are needed for thermo-active geo-structures. Generally, bentonite or sand-bentonite mixtures (SBMs) are preferred as natural barrier soil materials. Hence, the engineering properties of these natural soil materials against high temperatures should be improved. Boron, which has high thermal resistivity, reduces the heat expansion of materials, when added to soils may increase the durability of buffer materials at high temperatures. In the present study, the effects of tincal and ulexite additives were observed on the shear strength behaviour of SBMs at 80°C and room temperature. The general results showed that with the contribution of boron, the shear strength of the SBMs increased with increasing temperature. The effect was more pronounced for 20% SBMs at high temperature. Tincal and ulexite can be used to increase the shear strength of SBMs at high temperatures.

No abstract

The soils surrounding energy geo-structures are exposed to high temperatures and temperature cycles. Changes in the engineering properties of soils should be investigated under thermal effects and soils that are highly durable against temperature changes are needed for thermo-active geo-structures. Generally, bentonite or sand-bentonite mixtures (SBMs) are preferred as natural barrier soil materials. Hence, the engineering properties of these natural soil materials against high temperatures should be improved. Boron, which has high thermal resistivity, reduces the heat expansion of materials, when added to soils may increase the durability of buffer materials at high temperatures. In the present study, the effects of tincal and ulexite additives were observed on the shear strength behaviour of SBMs at 80°C and room temperature. The general results showed that with the contribution of boron, the shear strength of the SBMs increased with increasing temperature. The effect was more pronounced for 20% SBMs at high temperature. Tincal and ulexite can be used to increase the shear strength of SBMs at high 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.