Effect of oil contamination on the properties of sand.

Abstract

Considering that oil is capable of altering the frictional resistance of all surfaces, it may be expected that the angle of internal friction of sand also changes if oil penetrates its pores. The experimental part of the present research is an attempt to find out how much the behaviour of sand is affected by oil contamination. The results of a series of conventional triaxial compression tests showed that oil contamination resulted in a significant reduction in the angle of internal friction. Furthermore, the behaviour of an interface between sand and two different structure materials was investigated. Oil contamination of the interface resulted in a relatively small change of the interface friction angle. The bearing capacity and sliding resistance of a retaining wall, and the factor of safety of a slope were evaluated for both clean and oil contaminated sands. Lade's work hardening model which was modified to compensate for plastic strains resulting from proportional loading Evgin (1981), has been used in this study. The model parameters for both clean and oil contaminated sand were determined and predictions were made for the soil behaviour in tests using the computer program. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)