Investigation of new methods for reducing the effect of swelling clays on stability of underground openings

Some of the clay minerals have swelling properties. In particular, clay minerals that have the smectite group minerals have swelling ability. When These clays receive water from their hulls, they are swell a little and cause a significant amount of deformation in the underground openings. This high amount of deformation damages the underground openings as well as negatively affects mining-tunneling operations in these openings. In this case, significant increases in operating costs and loss of manpower occur at the same time. Within the scope of the project, it is planned to carry out laboratory and on-site field studies for the partial or complete elimination of the swelling properties of the clay, which has an inflation potency, especially in underground excavations, which affects the stability of the fortification and underground space.