GLACIAL AND POST GLACIAL QUICK CLAYS
Abstract
Essentially horizontal deposits of glacial and postglacial marine clays, long static in flat terrain, may suddenly display mass flowage with destructive consequences. The nature of the clays and the circumstances involved in their behavior have been the subject of study. The mineralogy of these clays, known as quick clays, has been determined for samples from Scandinavia, Canada and the northeastern United States. Particle size measurements of non-quick clays yield an average amount of material less than two microns of 31.6 per cent by weight, but in quick clays the amount is 57.3 per cent. The major critical conditions which contribute to quick clay movement in flat terrain appear to be: a substantial quantity of flake-like particles of colloidal size (Equivalent to approximately 40 per cent or more by weight of dry sample); a substantial quantity of water (roughly 50 per cent); a reduction in electrolyte concentration below about 5 grams of salt per liter; and a random orientation of particles induced by coagulation during deposition.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1963
- Accession Number
- AD0414488
Entities
People
- Paul F. Kerr
- Richard S. Liebling
Organizations
- Columbia University