Abstract:
Clayey geomaterials are widely distributed in sedimentary environments and play a crucial role in the mechanical and hydro-mechanical stability of soils and rocks. While most previous studies have focused on single mineral clays such as pure illite or smectite, investigations on mixed-layer clays, such as interstratified illite-smectite, remain limited despite their prevalence in nature and importance in engineering applications. Their layered structure and variable hydration states make them highly sensitive to external loading and environmental conditions, leading to complex behaviors that are not fully understood. This study employs molecular dynamics simulations to explore the nanoscale mechanisms governing the behavior of interstratified I/S clays, with particular emphasis on their shear response and swelling behavior. The results provide molecular-level insights into how hydration state and progressive illitization alter the mechanical properties and swelling behavior of mixed-layer clays. These findings fill a critical gap in clay research and contribute to a deeper understanding of geomaterial stability in geotechnical and environmental contexts, including foundation engineering, slope stability, and the long-term safety of radioactive waste repositories.
Short bio:
Wenbo Niu is currently a visiting PhD student at ENPC, working under the supervision of Prof. Laurent Brochard on molecular dynamics simulations of clay swelling. He received his Bachelor’s degree at Central South University and is now studying for his Master’s degree at the College of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Zhejiang University. His research focuses on the molecular dynamics simulations of clay.
