Hydraulic conductivity of compacted tills from northern Quebec

Abstract

The hydraulic conductivity of six compacted tills from northern Quebec with different grain-size distributions has been studied in saturated conditions in the laboratory. The results show that compaction conditions play an important role in hydraulic conductivity. When considering the hydraulic conductivities of specimens compacted at degrees of saturation greater than the optimum, there is a good correlation with the content of clay-size particles. This paper provides a good practical tool for evaluating preliminary hydraulic conductivity values of compacted tills from northern Quebec on the basis of their grain-size distribution and compaction conditions. Résumé : La conductivité hydraulique de six tills du nord québécois présentant des granulométries différentes a été étudiée en conditions saturées, en laboratoire. Les résultats montrent que les conditions de compactage jouent un rôle important dans la conductivité hydraulique qui en résulte. Lorsque l'on considère les conductivités hydrauliques mesurées sur des échantillons compactés à des degrés de saturation plus élevés que celui à l'optimum, on obtient une bonne corrélation avec le pourcentage de particules de dimensions argileuses. Cet article fournit donc un bon outil pratique pour une évaluation préliminaire de la conductivité hydraulique des tills du nord québécois sur la base de leur granulométrie et des conditions de compactage.

Effect of Compaction Conditions on the Seismic Compression of Compacted Fill Soils

“…We interpret the lack of influence of S on (ε v ) N =15 to be associated with a minimal presence of clod-like structure in these materials, which in turn is likely related to their low fines plasticity. The observed reduction of clod formation with decreasing soil plasticity is consistent with the previous findings of Bengochea et al (1979) and Leroueil et al (2002).…”

“…Variations in the larger pore size distributions were explained by clod breakdown at high water contents during the compaction process. The larger pore modes were less apparent at low soil plasticities, indicating decreasing clod formation for these soils, which was later confirmed by Leroueil et al (2002). Studies by Benson and Daniel (1990), Watabe et al (2000), and Leroueil et al (2002) further investigated and confirmed the compaction conditions that give rise to a clod soil macro-structure.…”

“…The larger pore modes were less apparent at low soil plasticities, indicating decreasing clod formation for these soils, which was later confirmed by Leroueil et al (2002). Studies by Benson and Daniel (1990), Watabe et al (2000), and Leroueil et al (2002) further investigated and confirmed the compaction conditions that give rise to a clod soil macro-structure. They found that compacted fine-grained soils can have a clod structure when compacted at moderate energy levels (i.e., standard Proctor) and at water contents dry of optimum.…”

Stability Analysis of Colluvium Slopes

“…Loiselle and Hurtubise (1976) studied tills from the Manicouagan and Outardes rivers area in Canada, and found saturated permeability values varying from 2 × 10 −10 to 6 × 10 −8 m/s; Pare et al (1982) tested another till from Canada, and obtained saturated permeability values of about 5 × 10 −6 m/s. Leroueil et al (2002) summarized the permeability of tills as follows: Leroueil et al (2002) tested six tills from northern Quebec.…”

Influence of uncertainties in internal erosion assessments of existing embankment dams

“…When the till is compacted at a de-gree of saturation lower than that at the Proctor optimum value matric suction causes the development of macro porosity which results in an aggregated fabric and thus an increased hydraulic conductivity. For higher compaction degrees of saturation, the till fabric is considered homogeneous and has a decreased hydraulic conductivity (Leroueil et al 2002).…”