Chemo-mechanical coupling and elastic-plastic behaviour of homoionic expansive clays

Chemically active saturated clays are considered in a two-phase framework. The solid phase contains clay particles, absorbed water and a single salt. The fluid phase, or pore water, contains free water and salt. Water, and possibly salt, can transfer between the two phases. In addition, part of both species diffuse through the porous medium. A global understanding of all phenomena, deformation, mass transfer and diffusion, is provided. Next, emphasis is laid on the chemo-mechanical constitutive equations in an elastic-plastic setting. Finally, finite element simulations of oedometer tests are considered.