Simulation of consolidation and transport processes in clayey rocks

Abstract

A united mathematical model for the Theological and transport properties of saturated clays is proposed. The foundation of the model is the unification of filtration's consolidation theory and the theory of the stability of lyophobic colloids, which is based on the conception of 'disjoining' pressure as a surplus in relation to hydraulic pressure. This pressure is caused by surface capacities and exists in water films between clay particles. In this work it is shown that the problem of the shrinkage of a clay layer can be reduced to the well known problem. We obtained the approximate solution for pressing the water out of a clay layer. The solution that we obtained requires introduction of a concept for the limit shear stress for clays. We investigated the model, and explained some characteristic features of transfer processes in clays (the existence of anomalous high pressures in clays, the flocculation at diffusion in clays, etc.). It is shown that solutions which we received are in harmony with results of experiments. © 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.