Study on the effect of water content on physical properties of bentonite.

Moisture content profoundly influences the engineering properties of expansive soil, a critical consideration in various geotechnical applications. This study delves into the intricate relationship between water content and the physical properties of bentonite, a key constituent of expansive soil. T...

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Main Authors: Chao Zheng, Yanzhao Yuan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2025-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0303522
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author Chao Zheng
Yanzhao Yuan
author_facet Chao Zheng
Yanzhao Yuan
author_sort Chao Zheng
collection DOAJ
description Moisture content profoundly influences the engineering properties of expansive soil, a critical consideration in various geotechnical applications. This study delves into the intricate relationship between water content and the physical properties of bentonite, a key constituent of expansive soil. Through a comprehensive analysis encompassing fundamental physical properties, rheological characteristics, permeability behavior, and microscopic features, we elucidate the complex interplay between water content and bentonite behavior. Our investigation reveals distinct responses to varying moisture levels: at low water content (w = 50%), unsaturated samples undergo incremental density increases attributed to moisture accumulation among particles. Concomitantly, heightened pressure fosters enhanced cohesion between particles, bolstering mechanical properties and augmenting reverse osmosis capacity. Conversely, at higher water content levels (w > w saturated), the escalation of free water within soil particles triggers pronounced particle softening, overshadowing expansion effects. Consequently, cohesion diminishes, and particles exhibit micro-scale flocculation. These findings offer valuable insights into bentonite behavior under differing moisture regimes, thereby providing a robust theoretical foundation for projects requiring bentonite seepage control.
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spelling doaj-art-9becbdb919f44f87808acc08d26cfc2e2025-08-20T03:10:47ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032025-01-01201e030352210.1371/journal.pone.0303522Study on the effect of water content on physical properties of bentonite.Chao ZhengYanzhao YuanMoisture content profoundly influences the engineering properties of expansive soil, a critical consideration in various geotechnical applications. This study delves into the intricate relationship between water content and the physical properties of bentonite, a key constituent of expansive soil. Through a comprehensive analysis encompassing fundamental physical properties, rheological characteristics, permeability behavior, and microscopic features, we elucidate the complex interplay between water content and bentonite behavior. Our investigation reveals distinct responses to varying moisture levels: at low water content (w = 50%), unsaturated samples undergo incremental density increases attributed to moisture accumulation among particles. Concomitantly, heightened pressure fosters enhanced cohesion between particles, bolstering mechanical properties and augmenting reverse osmosis capacity. Conversely, at higher water content levels (w > w saturated), the escalation of free water within soil particles triggers pronounced particle softening, overshadowing expansion effects. Consequently, cohesion diminishes, and particles exhibit micro-scale flocculation. These findings offer valuable insights into bentonite behavior under differing moisture regimes, thereby providing a robust theoretical foundation for projects requiring bentonite seepage control.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0303522
spellingShingle Chao Zheng
Yanzhao Yuan
Study on the effect of water content on physical properties of bentonite.
PLoS ONE
title Study on the effect of water content on physical properties of bentonite.
title_full Study on the effect of water content on physical properties of bentonite.
title_fullStr Study on the effect of water content on physical properties of bentonite.
title_full_unstemmed Study on the effect of water content on physical properties of bentonite.
title_short Study on the effect of water content on physical properties of bentonite.
title_sort study on the effect of water content on physical properties of bentonite
url https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0303522
work_keys_str_mv AT chaozheng studyontheeffectofwatercontentonphysicalpropertiesofbentonite
AT yanzhaoyuan studyontheeffectofwatercontentonphysicalpropertiesofbentonite