STUDY OF ANISOTROPY OF SWELLING IN CLAYS

Abstract

In the present study the effect of anisotropy on the percentage swelling and swelling pressures have been studied by taking samples at 007 22.5°, 45o7 67.5o7 90o with respect to the verticall i.e. the direction of compaction. The following methods have been utilised for measuring the swelling pressure. 1. Variable volume method ) ISS 2720-Part XLI, 1977 2. Constant volume method ) 3. Agarwalls constant volume method (1969, 1973) From the results,it has been found that the percentage swelling and swelling pressure are the maximum in the direction of compaction, i.e. vertical direction, and the minimum at the orientation of 45° with respect to vertical. For clay mineral identification, X-Ray diffraction technique and scanning electron microscope method have been utilised. It showed that it is montmorillonite clay mineral which is responsible for the swelling of