Evaluation of geotechnical properties of bentonite from Lieskovec deposit, Slovakia

Chemical and mineralogical composition and geotechnical properties of Ca2+-bentonite samples from Lieskovec deposit, Slovakia, are reported. The main mineral is Fe-montmorillonite. Its content as obtained by the methylene blue adsorption method is relatively low, 28 to 49%; however, it is the dominant variable affecting geotechnical parameters of this bentonite. Rather low liquid limit values of 64–80% and water adsorption (Enslin test) data in a broad range of 123–606% were obtained. Permeability coefficients of the order of 10− 11 m s− 1 suggest the possible suitability of this bentonite for geosynthetic clay liners and other civil engineering applications.