Shrinking to the limit

Abstract

Shrinkage properties of three different clays are studied. Specimens are remoulded at the plastic limit and then left to dry at room temperature during the first 24 hours, and then in the oven at 105degreesC for the next 24 hours. Then the temperature of the oven is incresad up to 600degreesC. Shrinkage ratios for each temperature are determined. The correlation between the volume change and temperature is found to depend on the structure of the colloidal system of the soil. A practical example is also given to illustrate the consequences of heating the soil to high temperatures.