To select ideal type and content of soil conditioner in clay formation

the Atterberg limits of clay were measured. The applicability of soil conditioners was determined and the effects of dispersant on different clays were compared by analyzing the influence of soil conditioners on the clays. The Zeta potentials with different dispersant contents and repulsive energy among particles were also measured to analyze action mechanism of the dispersants. The results show that it is difficult to achieve ideal effect only by using anionic-cationic foam individually. The flocculant increases the liquid limit and plasticity index of the bentonite

so it also contributes to the increase of the shear strength. In the contrary

the dispersant decreases the liquid limit and plasticity index of the clay

thus it can decrease the shear strength

which makes the dispersant more suitable for clay conditioning. Compared with kaolin

the mixture (the mass ratio of bentonite to kaolin is 1:1) and bentonite require much time and dispersant due to high content of bonding water in bentonite. The effect of dispersant keeps unchanged after the injection ratio of dispersant reaching a certain value. With the increase in dispersant content

the Zeta potential decreases (i.e.

negative charge increased) and tends to a lower constant in bentonite

kaolin and their mixture. The mean barrier potential Vmax/R of clayey particles get higher with more dispersant

thus it is more difficult for the clays to be agglomerated and easier to disperse.