Experimental investigation of thermal effect on compression and creep behavior of clays using modified oedometer

In the context of global warming, the impact of temperature on the geotechnical behavior of soil has recently garnered increasing attention. These phenomena significantly influence soils' compression and creep behavior, particularly clays, which are highly sensitive to thermal variations. To investigate soil thermal one-dimensional compression behavior, we developed a modification to a standard one-dimensional oedometer by incorporating a circulating heated water bath for precise temperature control and long-term stable high-temperature setting. We conducted detailed temperature calibrations of the cell for various temperatures to assess thermal losses and variations.

We conducted experimental investigations on Malaysian kaolin clay to examine the thermal effects on compression behavior, as indicated by the normal compression line (NCL) position, and on creep behavior, as reflected in changes to the secondary compression index (C_α). The experiments were performed over a temperature range of 20°C to 60°C and under constant temperature conditions. The findings obtained from the present experiments are compared with data from another, more advanced temperature-controlled oedometer cell.

Keywords: Compressibility, oedometer, thermal effect, secondary compression