A laboratory investigation of the mechanical behaviour of a volcanic ash |
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| Valeria Bandini, Ernesto Cascone, Giovanni Biondi, Elisabetta Feudale Foti |
- Abstract:
- This paper presents the results of a physical and mechanical characterization of a volcanic ash collected during a recent eruptive episode of Mount Etna. The mineralogy and microstructure of the material are examined by means of X-ray diffractometry and electron scanning microscopy (SEM). Because of their lightweight, highly crushable and compressible nature, they are problematic from engineering and construction viewpoint. The laboratory testing programme consisted of standard drained and undrained triaxial compression tests, one-dimensional compression tests and direct shear tests. Herein, data which highlight particle damage during the one-dimensional compression are presented. Using a dynamic image analysis instrument (QicPic) the changes to particle size distribution and particle shape through breakage are investigated for samples with different initial densities to examine the effects of particle packing on their behaviour. The amount of breakage is quantified comparing the grain size distributions at the beginning and at the end of each test.
- Keywords:
- Etna sand, volcanic ash, crushing, X-ray diffractometry, electron scanning microscopy
- Download:
- IMEKO-TC4-2014-487.pdf
- DOI:
- -
- Event details
- IMEKO TC:
- TC4
- Event name:
- TC4 Symposium 2014
- Title:
20th IMEKO TC4 Symposium on Measurements of Electrical Quantities (together with 18th TC4 International Workshop on ADC and DCA Modeling and Testing, IWADC)
"Research on Electrical and Electronic Measurement for the Economic Upturn"- Place:
- Benevento, ITALY
- Time:
- 15 September 2014 - 17 September 2014