Effect of initial suction on the stiffness and strength of densely compacted Gaomiaozi bentonite

Knowledge of the mechanical properties of compacted bentonite is essential to assessing the performance of an engineered barrier system in a high-level radioactive waste repository. In this study, direct shear tests and uniaxial compression tests were conducted on compacted Gaomiaozi bentonite with a dry density of 1.7 g/cm3 to investigate its stiffness and strength characteristics at various initial suction levels. Specimens were found to...