The influence of high pressures on structural changes of some minerals

Abstract

An X-ray analysis of some of the most frequently found minerals in natural silicate soils that have previously been subjected to pressures of up to 19 GPa has been performed. The test results have shown that the increase of pressure on the surface of polycrystal particles of some minerals leads to formation of an amorphous layer. This means that on the mineral particles' surface contacts, where high pressures act, thicker or thinner amorphous layers are formed. These layers, with their various properties, influence changes of engineering properties of natural soils. The newly formed amorphous particles, under certain conditions, behave as dispersed colloid systems with directed charged micelles (particles), the system passes from a flocculate to a dispersely directed state due to which the natural soil starts to move, (settle or slide).