David Willoughby

Geotechnical Considerations for Successful HDD Projects- Plasticity of Soils and their Impact on Tunneling

Plasticity and Its Impact on HDD in Fine-Grained Soils

Plasticity in fine-grained soils, like clay, influences their reaction to water. Dry clay absorbs water and swells, potentially causing issues during HDD. Soils with a liquid limit below 50 generally perform better in HDD due to lower swelling potential. In contrast, high plasticity clays, with a liquid limit above 50, tend to swell more, leading to challenges such as borehole restriction and increased soil viscosity. Understanding these properties is crucial for effective HDD planning and execution.
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