Rheology, permeability and microstructure of seawater-based slurry for slurry shield tunneling: insights from laboratory tests

During slurry shield tunneling in submarine geological conditions, it is of significance to prepare an appropriate slurry to maintain excellent rheological properties and penetration characteristics. To investigate the effects of seawater intrusion and high-temperature-induced deterioration on the p...

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Main Authors: Junqi Ru, Yingran Fang, Yidong Guo, Luqing Jiang, Hongzhi Liu, Xinggao Li, Weiqiang Qi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Materials
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2025.1592537/full
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author Junqi Ru
Yingran Fang
Yingran Fang
Yidong Guo
Yidong Guo
Luqing Jiang
Hongzhi Liu
Xinggao Li
Xinggao Li
Weiqiang Qi
author_facet Junqi Ru
Yingran Fang
Yingran Fang
Yidong Guo
Yidong Guo
Luqing Jiang
Hongzhi Liu
Xinggao Li
Xinggao Li
Weiqiang Qi
author_sort Junqi Ru
collection DOAJ
description During slurry shield tunneling in submarine geological conditions, it is of significance to prepare an appropriate slurry to maintain excellent rheological properties and penetration characteristics. To investigate the effects of seawater intrusion and high-temperature-induced deterioration on the physical properties of different bentonite slurries, four typical commercial sodium bentonites of different origins were selected as raw materials in this study, and mineral composition characterization tests were carried out on the four sodium bentonites, respectively. Additionally, a comprehensive analysis was performed to evaluate the physical properties of the four bentonite slurries, including rheological tests, penetration tests, and microstructure observations. The results indicated that both increased seawater content and elevated temperature had remarkable effects on the rheological properties of the slurries, while the rheological and permeability properties of all four slurries deteriorated to varying degrees. The microstructure and morphology of the slurries mainly appeared as thin sheets with voids between them, and discrete particle accumulation was observed locally. The conclusions presented in this paper could offer guidance for future preparation of slurries used in slurry shield tunneling.
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issn 2296-8016
language English
publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Materials
spelling doaj-art-5dac43c2bb75435dbaccb92f26f35b982025-08-20T03:11:03ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Materials2296-80162025-05-011210.3389/fmats.2025.15925371592537Rheology, permeability and microstructure of seawater-based slurry for slurry shield tunneling: insights from laboratory testsJunqi Ru0Yingran Fang1Yingran Fang2Yidong Guo3Yidong Guo4Luqing Jiang5Hongzhi Liu6Xinggao Li7Xinggao Li8Weiqiang Qi9Beijing Water Construction Management Center, Beijing, ChinaKey Laboratory of Urban Underground Engineering of the Education Ministry, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing, ChinaSchool of Civil Engineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing, ChinaKey Laboratory of Urban Underground Engineering of the Education Ministry, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing, ChinaSchool of Civil Engineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing, ChinaQingdao Guoxin Development (Group) Co., Ltd., Qingdao, ChinaCCCC Tunnel Engineering Co. Ltd., Beijing, ChinaKey Laboratory of Urban Underground Engineering of the Education Ministry, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing, ChinaSchool of Civil Engineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing, ChinaQingdao Guoxin Second Jiaozhou Bay Subsea Tunnel Co., Ltd., Qingdao, ChinaDuring slurry shield tunneling in submarine geological conditions, it is of significance to prepare an appropriate slurry to maintain excellent rheological properties and penetration characteristics. To investigate the effects of seawater intrusion and high-temperature-induced deterioration on the physical properties of different bentonite slurries, four typical commercial sodium bentonites of different origins were selected as raw materials in this study, and mineral composition characterization tests were carried out on the four sodium bentonites, respectively. Additionally, a comprehensive analysis was performed to evaluate the physical properties of the four bentonite slurries, including rheological tests, penetration tests, and microstructure observations. The results indicated that both increased seawater content and elevated temperature had remarkable effects on the rheological properties of the slurries, while the rheological and permeability properties of all four slurries deteriorated to varying degrees. The microstructure and morphology of the slurries mainly appeared as thin sheets with voids between them, and discrete particle accumulation was observed locally. The conclusions presented in this paper could offer guidance for future preparation of slurries used in slurry shield tunneling.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2025.1592537/fullsubmarine geological conditionsseawater slurryrheological testpenetration testhigh temperature
spellingShingle Junqi Ru
Yingran Fang
Yingran Fang
Yidong Guo
Yidong Guo
Luqing Jiang
Hongzhi Liu
Xinggao Li
Xinggao Li
Weiqiang Qi
Rheology, permeability and microstructure of seawater-based slurry for slurry shield tunneling: insights from laboratory tests
Frontiers in Materials
submarine geological conditions
seawater slurry
rheological test
penetration test
high temperature
title Rheology, permeability and microstructure of seawater-based slurry for slurry shield tunneling: insights from laboratory tests
title_full Rheology, permeability and microstructure of seawater-based slurry for slurry shield tunneling: insights from laboratory tests
title_fullStr Rheology, permeability and microstructure of seawater-based slurry for slurry shield tunneling: insights from laboratory tests
title_full_unstemmed Rheology, permeability and microstructure of seawater-based slurry for slurry shield tunneling: insights from laboratory tests
title_short Rheology, permeability and microstructure of seawater-based slurry for slurry shield tunneling: insights from laboratory tests
title_sort rheology permeability and microstructure of seawater based slurry for slurry shield tunneling insights from laboratory tests
topic submarine geological conditions
seawater slurry
rheological test
penetration test
high temperature
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2025.1592537/full
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