Nonlinear creep and swelling behavior of bentonite mixed with different sand contents under oedometric condition

Due to the viscous nature, especially the swelling property, bentonite is selected as buffer and backfill material for marine radioactive waste disposal. This article presents experimental results from one-dimensional oedometric compression tests with multi-stage loading and unloading=reloading on specimens of bentonite mixed with different sand contents. The sand contents are 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, and 90%, respectively, in terms of the dry mass of sand over the dry mass of the mixture. Influences of sand contents on time-dependent stress-strain behavior of the bentonite-sand mixture under 1-D straining are examined with special attention to the nonlinear creep and swelling behavior. It is found that the bentonite-sand mixtures exhibit distinct nonlinear creep and swelling behavior that cannot be neglected. Moreover, a nonlinear creep function proposed by Yin (1999) for Hong Kong Marine Deposits has been modified to describe the nonlinear creep behavior of the bentonite-sand mixture.