Compression behavior of canadian oil sands

• Published in: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
• Main Authors: Delage, Pierre, Doan, D.H., Nauroy, J.F., Tang, Anh Minh, A.M.
• Other Authors: Laboratoire Navier (navier umr 8205), Institut Français des Sciences et Technologies des Transports, de l'Aménagement et des Réseaux (IFSTTAR)-École des Ponts ParisTech (ENPC)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), IFP Energies nouvelles (IFPEN), Géotechnique (cermes), Institut Français des Sciences et Technologies des Transports, de l'Aménagement et des Réseaux (IFSTTAR)-École des Ponts ParisTech (ENPC)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut Français des Sciences et Technologies des Transports, de l'Aménagement et des Réseaux (IFSTTAR)-École des Ponts ParisTech (ENPC)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: HAL CCSD 2013
• Subjects: [SPI.MAT]Engineering Sciences [physics]/Materials; Ice Sheet
• Online Access: https://enpc.hal.science/hal-00946080; https://doi.org/10.1061/(asce)gt.1943-5606.0000808

International audience The compression behavior of Canadian oil sands was investigated by running high-stress oedometer compression tests up to 65 MPa. An X-ray microtomography investigation confirmed the significant disturbance affecting the core samples, showing large pores located between dense intact clusters made up of angular sand grains. Compression tests confirmed the significant effects of disturbance on the compression characteristics, providing a much softer response without any memory of the significant load applied by the 3- to4-km-thick ice sheet during the Quaternary period. High-stress compression allowed us to bring back the samples close to the in situestimated porosity, providing compression characteristics (estimated from a loading cycle) close to the intact ones, despite obviousdifferences in fabric (including the effects attributable to grain crushing at high stress). Creep behavior was also observed, and an estimate of the order of magnitude of the creep strain corresponding to the Quaternary period is provided. © 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers.