Experimental investigation into the effect of porosity on the strains developing during anhydrite to gypsum transformation

The swelling of anhydritic claystones often leads to severe tunnel damage. Even though this phenomenon has gained significant scientific interest, particularly in the last decades, there are still open questions which introduce uncertainties in tunnel design. One question concerns the strains developing during the anhydrite to gypsum transformation (AGT). These depend, among other factors, on whether the gypsum crystals grow within the available pore space or whether they tend to push the particles apart, leading to an expansion of the matrix and, in turn, larger macroscopic strains. The experimental investigations of this paper aim to assess the influence of the initial porosity on the strains developing during AGT. Specimens consisting of highly compacted anhydrite and kaolin powders are created with varying initial porosities between 0.22 and 0.35. It is concluded that, ceteris paribus , the strains developing during AGT decreases with increasing initial porosity. The results also indicate that in the case of high initial porosity the gypsum crystals grow in the available pore space, thus decreasing the porosity, while in the case of low initial porosity, gypsum growth leads to an increase of the pore space. The results are applicable to porous media where crystallisation may occur within the pores. • The testing procedure provided consistent data, enabling investigation of initial porosity's effect on anhydrite swelling. • Gypsum growth can either occur at the expense of the available pore space or expand the matrix. • The strain developing during AGT decreases with increasing initial porosity.