68th Canadian Geotechnical Conference and 7th Canadian Permafrost Conference

SWELLING POTENTIAL OF QUEENSTON SHALE IN LUBRICANT FLUIDS

Session: Rock Mechanics and Engineering Geology I / Mécanique des roches et ingénierie géologique I

HAYDER MOHAMMED SALIM AL-MAAMORI, Ph.D. Candidate (Canada)
M. HESHAM EL NAGGAR, Professor and Associate Dean,Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Western University (Canada)
SILVANA MICIC, Adjunct Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Western University (Canada)
LO K.Y., Professor Emeritus and Chair of The Geotechnical Research Centre (Canada)

The effect of lubricant fluids used in the drilling process for microtunnels, such as polymers solution and bentonite slurry, on the swelling behaviour of Quuenston Shale from Southern Ontario was investigated. Lubricant fluids and fresh water were used as ambient fluids in a series of free swell tests performed on Queenston shales from Niagara and Milton regions. The tests results revealed a significant difference in the swelling behaviour of the Queenston Shales in these fluids. The polymers solution caused a significant suppression of the swelling of both Queenston shales, while the bentonite slurry caused moderate suppression of the swelling of Niagara Queenston shale, and a slight increase of the swelling of Milton Queenston shale, compared to water. This finding may have a significant impact on evaluating the swelling associated with the drilling process and in the design of underground structures in Queenston Shale.