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FACTORS AFFECTING THIXOTROPIC

HARDENING OF DHAKA CLAYS

Conference Paper November 2016

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 BUET-ANWAR ISPAT 1st Bangladesh Civil Engineering SUMMIT 2016
BUET, Dhaka, Bangladesh
www.cesummitbd.com

FACTORS AFFECTING THIXOTROPIC HARDENING OF DHAKA CLAYS

Shahriar, A. R.1*, Abedin, M.Z.2, Islam, M. A.3
1
Department of Civil Engineering, BUET, Dhaka, <azmayeen@ce.buet.ac.bd>
2
Department of Civil Engineering, BUET, Dhaka, <zabedin@ce.buet.ac.bd>
3
Department of Civil Engineering, BUET, Dhaka, <aziz.buet@gmail.com>
*Corresponding Author

ABSTRACT
When dealing with soft clays, thixotropic effects will generally be beneficial. The effects of disturbance
will decrease with time adding some element of safety to a project where remolding cannot be avoided. In
order to investigate the presence of thixotropy in Bangladesh soils, fall cone test, using different cone
weights is conducted. As moisture content is one of the factors affecting thixotropy, samples were
prepared at moisture contents both above and below the liquid limits. At constant moisture content and
volume, as time passes the penetration depth reduces. This variation in penetration depths are in turn
related to the shear strength. Significant increase in thixotropic strength for the soil samples prepared at
moisture content below liquid limit was noticed. Slight decrease in activity and linear shrinkage caused
pronounced increase in thixotropic strength. The research also indicates that initial moisture content less
than liquid limit is compulsory for significant thixotropic hardening to take place.
KEYWORDS: Thixotropy, Liquid limit, Activity, Linear Shrinkage, Fall Cone Test

INTRODUCTION
Thixotropic hardening is an isothermal, reversible, time dependent process under conditions of constant
composition and volume whereby the material stiffens while at rest and softens or liquefies upon
remolding (Mitchell, 1960). Basically two processes, like remolding and compaction are liable for
strength loss. These processes cause breakdown of particle links. Once these disturbing forces have
ceased, the deflocculated fabric is no longer in equilibrium (Brand and Brenner, 1981). The interparticle
forces tend to attain equilibrium by re- organization of water cation structure causing the system to
flocculate. This takes time, because of viscous resistance to particles and ion movements (Mitchell and
Soga, 2005). Mesri et al. (1975) suggested that sensitivities ( ) up to values of 20 may be attributed to
thixotropic effects. Jacobson and Pusch (1975), after an extensive study on Swedish soils at micro levels,
concluded that thixotropic strength regain was intimately connected to the restoration of particle links and
with delayed reordering of water phase. The beneficiary effect of thixotropy was vividly explained by
different investigators like Farsakh et al. (2015) and Park et al. (2014). It was also investigated that this
phenomenon occurs repeatedly at constant temperature and constant speed. So, thixotropy is an increase
of viscosity in a state of rest and a decrease of viscosity when subjected to a constant shearing stress. It is
thus a process where softening caused by remolding, followed by a time dependent return to original
harder state. Another definition of thixotropy can be given as, decrease of viscosity as a result of shear
stress, followed by gradual recovery when the stress is removed (Barnes, 1997). It is realized that
thixotropy is the result of gradual rearrangement of the particles under action of bonding forces into

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positions of increasing mechanical stability. The basic aim of the previous investigators were to determine
the extent to which thixotropic hardening could contribute to sensitivity of clays. After the deposition, if
the load increase is slow, more thixotropic strength can be developed, opposing further deformation. This
strength increase can be attributed to partial conversion of one mineral to other. All these studies suggest
that thixotropy is a general occurrence in majority of clay water system.
Review of the pertinent literature provides conclusive evidences that thixotropic strength changes are a
function of time (Shahriar, 2015), moisture content (Shahriar, 2016), clay mineralogy of the particles,
temperature and some other minor factors. This phenomenon can cause significant changes in the soil
properties over the range of moisture content of interest to a geotechnical engineer. Considering these
issues, the effect of moisture content, activity of a soil and linear shrinkage on thixotropic strength
recovery were investigated in the present study.
SAMPLE PREPARATION
Table 1 provides the physical properties of the soil samples used in the present study. The objective of
this research work was to observe the strength gaining properties of the soil samples at different water
content and to relate the rate of strength gain of different samples used in this test program with water
content. In order to examine the thixotropic effects at different water contents, it is customary to prepare
samples at different moisture contents. From the literature review, it has been established that thixotropic
effects are significant near the liquid limit of the soil. Again, extensive evidence of absence of thixotropic
effects at moisture contents near plastic limit is also available. As the index properties of the soils were
known, it would be more representative to prepare soil samples at moisture contents above and below the
liquid limit (LL) of that particular soil sample. For this, soil samples were prepared at moisture contents
within the limits of 0.75LL to 1.25LL. The first step in preparing soil samples was to dry the clay sample
particles and grinding it using mallet. Then these grinded soils were passed through ASTM No. 40 sieve
(425 m opening). After that, an appropriate amount of water was added to the completely dried soil. The
moisture content needs to be homogeneous. Otherwise the variation of the cone penetration with time will
not be reproducible and representative. For this reason, soil is mixed thoroughly with water and kept for 1
day. The remolded soil is then poured into a plastic mold of size 20 cm12 cm5 cm.
Table 1 The location and the Index properties of the soils included in the present study

Liquid Plastic Plasticity Linear Clay

Sample limit Limit index shrinkage fraction
Location
ID
% % % % %

Sample-1 BUET, Palashi 37 17 20 7.5 23

Sample-2 Pallabi, Mirpur 37 16 21 7.9 24
Sample-3 Kaliakoir, Gazipur 37 17 20 8.6 22
Sample-4 Shafipur, Gazipur 38 17 21 7.1 25

Pouring was done in three layers to reduce the possibility of entrapping the air bubble. After pouring of
each layer, the mold is tapped lightly on the table to remove the entrapped air. The thickness of each layer
wasapproximately 16 mm. The layer thickness was used as a guide in maintaining the volume of the soil

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bed in each sample prepared. A small amount of soil was taken from this batch to determine the moisture
content just before the test commences.
FALL CONE TEST
The fall cone test was conducted to measure the shear resistance developed from improved stiffness of the
soil with time. Two metal weights (80 gram and 240 gram) were used in the experimental program having
an apex angle of 30 each. Penetration depths were recorded after 0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.6, 0.8, 1, 2, 4, 24, 48, 72,
96, 120, 144, 168, and 192 hours of sample preparation.
Undrained shear strength of the clay sample can be related to the cone penetration depth (Hansbo 1957,
Houlsby 1982, Koumoto 1989, Koumoto and Houlsby 2001). The equation could be formulated as
follows-

= (1)

Where, = undrained shear strength, = mass of the cone, = penetration depth, = cone factor, =
gravitational acceleration.In the present study, the value of was taken as 1.9716 based on the result
presented by Koumoto and Houlsby (2001).
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
Effect of Moisture Content on Thixotropic Hardening
Figures 1 to 4 represent the increase in shear strength as calculated from the Equation (1), with time at
different moisture contents. Clearly the relationship is non- linear. Moreover, it can be figured out that the
curve corresponding to the minimum moisture content departs significantly from the curves at other
moisture contents. This suggests that as the moisture content departs from liquid limit to plastic limit,
both the strength gain and the rate of strength of soils increase. Higher moisture contents can cause
highlyliquefied system. This might be attributed to lower strength recovery. Again it can be observed that
during the initial 8-10 hour period, the increase in strength was almost similar. This might be due to the
fact that the internal grain structure has just been broken by the applied shear force during the mixing
purpose and which could not be regained within the first few hours of hardening.
Samples with high moisture contents underwent negligible strength increase over seven days resting
period, whereas the strength increase is significant at low moisture contents. The shear strength increased
as much as 374% at moisture content of 0.79LL for Sample-4. However, this increase in shear strength
was noticed to be only 75% for samples prepared at moisture content below liquid limit. Moreover, the
slope of the curve at maximum moisture level is very mild. These two observations indicate that initial
moisture content less than the liquid limit is imperative for thixotropic hardening to take place. At
moisture content beyond the liquid limit, the soil- water matrix would be too liquefied. This situation can
be viewed from the energy- distance principle. In dilute soil- water mixture, the distance between the clay
particles is such that an energy barrier prevents the particles to flocculate, on the other hand an additional
energy of repulsion is introduced by additionally applied shearing strains while remolding. Finally, the
situation was such that the time provided to the soil sample for hardening could not contribute to the
thixotropic strength increase.

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 (a) (b)
Figure 1.Shear strength
trength vs. time elapsed curve for Sample
Sample-1 (a) Cone weight- 80 gram, (b) Cone weight-
weight
240 gram

(a) (b)
Figure 2.Shear strength vs. time elapsed curve for Sample
Sample-2 (a) Cone weight- 80 gram, (b) Cone weight-
weight
240 gram

41st Bangladesh Civil Engineering SUMMIT 2016

 (a) (b)
Figure 3.Shear strength vs. time elapsed curve for Sample
Sample-3 (a) Cone weight- 80 gram, (b) Cone weight-
weight
240 gram

(a) (b)
Figure 4.Shear strength vs. time elapsed curve for Sample
Sample-4 (a) Cone weight- 80 gram, (b) Cone weight-
weight
240 gram

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Effect of Activity on Thixotropic Hardening
It is quite evident from the available literature that, neither the clay fraction nor the type of the clay alone
suffices to characterize the physio
physio- chemical activity of clay. A micromechanistic interpretation of
Atterberg limits and colloidal activity rerevealed
vealed that it is preferable to use activity as the index properties
of clay (Pandian and Nagaraj, 1990). Figure 5shows shows the relationship between the activity of the soils and
the maximum strength gain after seven days of hardening. It is quite clear from tthe he nature of the graph
that the gain in shear strength decreases with the increase in activity. Only 8% decreaseease in activity caused
56% increase in thixotropic hardening
hardening.One
One possible explanation might be greater the activity, the more
pore fluid would be heldeld by the clay particle (Skempton
(Skempton, 1952). ). Skempton (1953) explained that, this
holding of pore fluid by clay particles at higher activity is related to the geologic history and the mineral
particles present in that clay (activity in turn, is an indicator of the type of mineral present in that specific
clay).
So, when the pore fluid surrounding a particle is high, the distance between the clay particles would
increase. This increased distance thus creates a barrier against the flocculation. As flocculation, internal
particle rearrangement, reorganization of water
water-cation
cation structure all constitutes the major cause of
thixotropic hardening; thixotropic strength recovery could not be significant at such situation. So, lesser
the activity, greater would be the inf
influence on thixotropic strength recovery.

Figure 5.Relationship
Relationship between activity and maximum strength for moist
moisture
ure content ranging from 0.79LL
0.85LL

Effect of Linear Shrinkage on Thixotropic Hardening

The linear shrinkage generally measures the percentage decrease in length of the soil paste in one
dimension. It is also a measure of swellin
swelling potential of the soil. Figure 6 shows the relationship between
the linear shrinkage and maximum shear strength achieved after 7 days hardening period. The trend t of
the graph indicates that higher the linear shrinkage value, lower would be the increase in strength.125%
strength.
increase in strength wass caused due to 17% decrease in linear shrinkage.
The soils included in this study do not have swelling potential. Both values of activity and linear
shrinkage confirm this phenomena.. Higher linear shrinkage value indicates either clay fraction is higher
or clay fraction is so finer that these particles could be considered as colloid. Since soils used in this study
have almost similar clay percentage (22% - 25%), the later mentioned case might be significant in causing
the variations in linear shrinkage value. In either of the cases
cases, water adsorption by clay particle would

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certainly be higher. As explained earlier, here aalso,
lso, the distance between the particles is affecting linear
shrinkage, which in turn is controlling thixotropy. And
And, if this distance exceeds certain limit, additional
time provided for strength gain through particle rearrangement would not be effective. ThisT might be the
possible explanationn for such trend of the curve.

Figure 6.Relationship
Relationship between linear shrinkage and maximum shear strength achieved after 7 days rest
period
CONCLUSIONS
Beyond 4 days, no further thixotropic strength increase wa was noticed for soils having moisture content
above liquid limit and after 6 days for soils with moisture content below liquid limit. After 7 days test
program, 75% thixotropic strength increase wawass noticed for samples with moisture content above liquid
limit.Whereas,
.Whereas, for samples with moisture content below liquid limit, 374% in increase
crease in thixotropic
strength was observed. Slight dec decrease
rease in activity caused 56% increase in thixotropic hardening.
Significant increase in strength was observed due to 17% decrease in linear shrinkage.Finally, the authors
suggest 7 days rest period in between sample preparation and testing in order that all the samples are
equally affected by thixotropy.
REFERENCES
Barnes, HA. 1997. Thixotropy- A review.
eview.Journal of Non Newtonian Fluid Mechanics,, 70 (1/2), 1-33. 1
Brand, E.W. and Brenner, R.P P. (1981).Soft clay engineering.Developments
Developments in Geotechnical
Engineering, 20, 775-779.
Farsakh, MA.,
A., Rosti, F. and Souri, A.
A.2015. Evaluating pile installation and subsequent thixotropic and
consolidation effects on setup by numerical simulation for full scale pile load test.Canadian
Canadian Geotechnical
Journal, 52 (11), 1734-1746.
Hansbo, S. 1957. A new approach to the determination of shear streng strength
th of clays by fall cone test.
Proceedings of Royal Swedish Geotechnical Institute, Stockholm, Sweden,14, 7-48.
Houlsby, G.T.1982. Theoretical
cal analysis of fall cone test.
test.Geotechnique, 32 (2), 111-118.
118.
Jacobson, A. and Pusch. R. 1972..Thixotropic action in remolded quick clay.Bulletin Bulletin of International
Association of Engineering Geology
Geology. 5, 105-110.
Koumoto, T. 1989. Dynamic mic analysis of fall cone test.
test.Journal
Journal of Japanese Society of Irrigation, Drainage
and Reclamation Engineering,, 144, 5151-56.

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Koumoto, T. and Houlsby, GT. 2001. Theory and practice of fall cone test.Geotechnique, 51 (8), 701-712.
Mesri, G., Rokhsar, A. and Bohor, BF. 1975. Composition and compressibility of typical samples of
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Mitchell, JK. and Soga, K. 2005.Fundamentals of Soil Behavior. 3rd Edition, John Wiley and Sons, Inc.,
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Park, D., Kutter, BL., Dejong, JT. 2014. Effect of thixotropy and cement content on the sensitivity of soft
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