Temperature effects on the volume change behaviour of Boom clay

In this paper, an experimental study intended (1) to identify the effect of temperature on the preconsolidation pressure of Boom clay and (2) the effect of the over consolidation ratio (OCR) on the thermal volume changes is presented. In this study, OCR is defined in terms of isotropic stresses instead of the commonly used vertical stresses in soil mechanics. Tests were carried out in a temperature-controlled isotropic compression cells able to sustain high pressures. Based on the experimental results obtained, existing thermoplastic models are examined. In order to fully account for the effects of OCR on the volume change behaviour, an additional plastic mechanism is proposed.