Journal articles on the topic 'Swell-shrink/consolidation'
To see the other types of publications on this topic, follow the link: Swell-shrink/consolidation.
Create a spot-on reference in APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard, and other styles
Consult the top 16 journal articles for your research on the topic 'Swell-shrink/consolidation.'
Next to every source in the list of references, there is an 'Add to bibliography' button. Press on it, and we will generate automatically the bibliographic reference to the chosen work in the citation style you need: APA, MLA, Harvard, Chicago, Vancouver, etc.
You can also download the full text of the academic publication as pdf and read online its abstract whenever available in the metadata.
Browse journal articles on a wide variety of disciplines and organise your bibliography correctly.
1
Azam, Shahid, and Rashedul H. Chowdhury. "Swell–shrink–consolidation behavior of compacted expansive clays." International Journal of Geotechnical Engineering 7, no. 4 (October 2013): 424–30. http://dx.doi.org/10.1179/1939787913y.0000000005.
Full text
2
Soltani, Amin, An Deng, Abbas Taheri, and Asuri Sridharan. "Swell–Shrink–Consolidation Behavior of Rubber–Reinforced Expansive Soils." Geotechnical Testing Journal 42, no. 3 (August 28, 2018): 20170313. http://dx.doi.org/10.1520/gtj20170313.
Full text
3
Hussein, Sarah Adnan, and Haifaa Abd Al-Rasool Ali. "Stabilization of Expansive Soils Using Polypropylene Fiber." Civil Engineering Journal 5, no. 3 (March 18, 2019): 624. http://dx.doi.org/10.28991/cej-2019-03091274.
Full textAbstract:
Current research main aim is to study the effect of adding polypropylene fiber (PPF) on the behavior of expansive soil to reduce the swelling as percentage (0.5, 1 and 2%) of the weight of dry soil. Expansive soil used in this research was prepared artificially by mixing Ca-based bentonite from geological survey and mining company with sandy soil brought from Karbala city as percentage 80% bentonite to 20% sand of dry weight. Multiple laboratory tests have been carried are (Unconfined Compression Test, One-Dimensional Consolidation Test, Swelling Test, Sieve Analysis and Cycle Swell Shrink Test). A conventional odometer cell was modified to allow the study of swell- shrink cycle test to be carried out under controlled temperatures and surcharge pressure. The results showed that the increase in percentage of (PPF) led to decrease the swelling and to increase the unconfined compression strength. The wetting and drying results of (PPF) showed that with continuous cycles the effect of (PPF) keeps on reducing the swelling and the 2% of (PPF) produces less ratio of swell - shrink, which has obtained higher than 57 % in the improvement factor of swell and shrink.
4
Zhang, Gong, and Dao Xiang Wu. "Analysis of Foundation Pit Accidents due to Expansive Soil in Hefei District." Applied Mechanics and Materials 501-504 (January 2014): 331–35. http://dx.doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/amm.501-504.331.
Full textAbstract:
Expansive soil has the characteristics of strong swell-shrink, developing fissures and over consolidation. This kind of soil soaking into water, which leads to its volume expansion, strength reduction but compressibility decreasing make its engineering geology properties worsen. The distribution of expansive soil in Hefei is very wide, there are more pit accidents in Hefei district in recent years. Causing the accident is mainly due to the ignorance of the characteristics and damage of expansive soil. According to many years engaged in related working experience, this paper analyses two common types of damage in foundation pit accidents. Finally, throughout the analysis of several accidents, corresponding prevention measures and construction improvement scheme have been put forward.
5
ΤΣΙΡΑΜΠΙΔΗΣ, Α., and Θ. ΠΑΠΑΛΙΑΓΚΑΣ. "Mineralogical composition and physical characteristics of marly soils from Heraklion Crete." Bulletin of the Geological Society of Greece 34, no. 3 (January 1, 2001): 851. http://dx.doi.org/10.12681/bgsg.17097.
Full textAbstract:
The mainly white-yellow marly soils studied present medium degree of consolidation and induration. The predominant grain size of the non - carbonate constituents is that of silt varying from 34 to 64%. According to the textural classification of soils of the SSDS the samples are mainly silty-clay loams with moisture capacity 30-40%. In the untreated samples in decreasing abundance the following minerals predominate: calcite (31-59%), clay minerals (20-34%) and quartz (12-20%). In the clay fraction (<2μπι) in decreasing abundance the following clay minerals (in discrete and interstratified phases) predominate: illite, smectite and vermiculite. Chlorite and kaolinite are missing. Mineralogically the marly soils are immature, because of the extended presence of Fe-Mg minerals (i.e. amphiboles, pyroxenes and clay minerals). According to the Unified Soil Classification System of the ASTM the studied marly soils mainly belong to the groups MH and CH (inorganic silts and inorganic clays respectively with high plasticity and liquid limit >50%), as well as to the group CL (inorganic clays with low plasticity and liquid limit <50%). The degree of consolidation and induration, as well as of compaction of these soils is medium. They contain significant amounts of discrete or interstratified smectite and mainly present high to very high swelling potential and activity between 0.5 and 2.0. It is concluded that specific precautions must be taken into account, when it is unavoidable the foundation of various constructions on these marly soils, because they swell and shrink extensively.
6
Timms, W. A., R. Crane, D. J. Anderson, S. Bouzalakos, M. Whelan, D. McGeeney, P. F. Rahman, A. Guinea, and R. I. Acworth. "Accelerated gravity testing of aquitard core permeability and implications at formation and regional scale." Hydrology and Earth System Sciences Discussions 12, no. 3 (March 9, 2015): 2799–841. http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/hessd-12-2799-2015.
Full textAbstract:
Abstract. Evaluating the possibility of leakage through low permeability geological strata is critically important for sustainable water supplies, the extraction of fuels from strata such as coal beds, and the confinement of waste within the earth. The current work demonstrates that relatively rapid and reliable hydraulic conductivity (K) measurement of aquitard cores using accelerated gravity can inform and constrain larger scale assessments of hydraulic connectivity. Steady state fluid velocity through a low K porous sample is linearly related to accelerated gravity (g-level) in a centrifuge permeameter (CP) unless consolidation or geochemical reactions occur. The CP module was custom designed to fit a standard 2 m diameter geotechnical centrifuge (550 g maximum) with a capacity for sample dimensions of 30 to 100 mm diameter and 30 to 200 mm in length, and a maximum total stress of ~2 MPa at the base of the core. Formation fluids were used as influent to limit any shrink–swell phenomena which may alter the permeability. Vertical hydraulic conductivity (Kv) results from CP testing of cores from three sites within the same regional clayey silt formation varied (10−7 to 10−9 m s−1, n = 14). Results at one of these sites (1.1 × 10−10 to 3.5 × 10−9 m s−1, n = 5) that were obtained in < 24 h were similar to in situ Kv values (3 × 10−9 m s−1) from pore pressure responses over several weeks within a 30 m clayey sequence. Core scale and in situ Kv results were compared with vertical connectivity within a regional flow model, and considered in the context of heterogeneity and preferential flow paths at site and formation scale. More reliable assessments of leakage and solute transport though aquitards over multi-decadal timescales can be achieved by accelerated core testing together with advanced geostatistical and numerical methods.
7
Jalal, Fazal E., Sultani Mulk, Shazim Ali Memon, Babak Jamhiri, and Ahsan Naseem. "Strength, Hydraulic, and Microstructural Characteristics of Expansive Soils Incorporating Marble Dust and Rice Husk Ash." Advances in Civil Engineering 2021 (November 12, 2021): 1–18. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/9918757.
Full textAbstract:
Expansive/swell-shrink soils exhibit high plasticity and low strength, which lead to settlement and instability of lightly loaded structures. These problematic soils contain various swelling clay minerals that are unsuitable for engineering requirements. In an attempt to counter the treacherous damage of such soils in modern geotechnical engineering, efforts are underway to utilize environmentally friendly and sustainable waste materials as stabilizers. This study evaluates the strength and consolidation characteristics of expansive soils treated with marble dust (MD) and rice husk ash (RHA) through a multitude of laboratory tests, including consistency limits, compaction, uniaxial compression strength (UCS), and consolidation tests. By using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses, the effect of curing on UCS after 3, 7, 14, 28, 56, and 112 days was studied from the standpoint of microstructural changes. Also, the long-term strength development of treated soils was analyzed in terms of the interactive response of impacting factors with the assistance of a series of ANN-based sensitivity analyses. It is found from the results that the addition of MD and RHA lowered down the water holding capacity, thereby causing a reduction in soil plasticity (by 21% for MD and 14.5% for RHA) and optimum water content (by 2% for MD and increased by 6% for RHA) along with an increase in the UCS (for 8% MD from 97 kPa to 471 kPa and for 10% RHA from 211 kPa to 665 kPa, after 3 days and 112 days of curing, respectively). Moreover, from the oedometer test results, m v initially increased up to 6% dosage and then dropped with further increase in the preconsolidation pressure. Furthermore, the compression index dropped with an increase in the preconsolidation pressure and addition of MD/RHA, while the coefficient of permeability (k) of RHA stabilized soil was higher than that of MD-treated samples for almost all dosage levels. The formation of the fibrous cementitious compounds (C-S-H; C-A-H) increased at optimum additive dosage after 7 days and at higher curing periods. Hence, the use of 10% RHA and 12% MD as replacement of the expansive soil is recommended for higher efficacy. This research would be helpful in reducing the impacts created by the disposal of both expansive soil and industrial and agricultural waste materials.
8
Thring, L. M., D. Boddice, N. Metje, G. Curioni, D. N. Chapman, and L. Pring. "Factors affecting soil permittivity and proposals to obtain gravimetric water content from time domain reflectometry measurements." Canadian Geotechnical Journal 51, no. 11 (November 2014): 1303–17. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/cgj-2013-0313.
Full textAbstract:
Time domain reflectometry (TDR) measures the apparent relative dielectric permittivity (ARDP) of a soil and is commonly used to determine the volumetric water content (VWC) of the soil. ARDP is affected by several factors in addition to water content, such as the soil’s electrical conductivity, temperature, and density. These relationships vary with soil type and are very soil-dependent, and despite previous research, they are still not fully understood. A multivariate statistical approach (principal component analysis, PCA) is used to describe a range of soils from two separate sites in the UK (clay and silty sand – sandy silt). The advantage of a PCA is that it considers several variables at a time, giving an immediate picture of their underlying relationships. It was found that for the studied soils, ARDP was positively correlated with VWC and bulk electrical conductivity, but did not show any dependence on some other geotechnical parameters. TDR has recently been used in geotechnical engineering for measuring the gravimetric water content (GWC) and dry density. However, the current approaches require a custom-made TDR probe and an extensive site specific empirical laboratory calibration. To extend the potential use of TDR in the geotechnical industry, three relatively simple methods are proposed to estimate the GWC from VWC (derived from the measured ARDP values) and dry density depending on the amount of information known about the soil. Examples of possible applications of these methods include continuous monitoring of consolidation adjacent to a structure, the effect of seasonal weather and climate change on ageing earthwork assets, and the shrink–swell potential adjacent to trees. All three methods performed well, with between 83% and 98% of the data lying within a ±5% GWC envelope, with the data for clay soils performing better than those for silty sands – sandy silts. This is partly due to the fact that the applied relationship converting ARDP to VWC performs better for clays than silty sands – sandy silts, as well as less variation of the estimated bulk density that is needed to derive the dry density.
9
Leuther, Frederic, and Steffen Schlüter. "Impact of freeze–thaw cycles on soil structure and soil hydraulic properties." SOIL 7, no. 1 (June 11, 2021): 179–91. http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/soil-7-179-2021.
Full textAbstract:
Abstract. The ploughing of soils in autumn drastically loosens the soil structure and, at the same time, reduces its stability against external stresses. A fragmentation of these artificially produced soil clods during wintertime is often observed in areas with air temperatures fluctuating around the freezing point. From the pore perspective, it is still unclear (i) under which conditions frost action has a measurable effect on soil structure, (ii) what the impact on soil hydraulic properties is, and (iii) how many freeze–thaw cycles (FTCs) are necessary to induce soil structure changes. The aim of this study was to analyse the cumulative effects of multiple FTC on soil structure and soil hydraulic properties for two different textures and two different initial structures. A silt clay with a substantial amount of swelling clay minerals and a silty loam with fewer swell/shrink dynamics were either kept intact in undisturbed soil cores taken from the topsoil from a grassland or repacked with soil clods taken from a ploughed field nearby. FTCs were simulated under controlled conditions and changes in pore structure ≥ 48 µm were regularly recorded using X-ray µCT. After 19 FTCs, the impact on hydraulic properties were measured, and the resolution of structural characteristics were enhanced towards narrow macropores with subsamples scanned at 10 µm. The impact of FTC on soil structure was dependent on the initial structure, soil texture, and the number of FTCs. Frost action induced a consolidation of repacked soil clods, resulting in a systematic reduction in pore sizes and macropore connectivity. In contrast, the macropore systems of the undisturbed soils were only slightly affected. Independent of the initial structure, a fragmentation of soil clods and macro-aggregates larger than 0.8 to 1.2 mm increased the connectivity of pores smaller than 0.5 to 0.8 mm. The fragmentation increased the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity of all treatments by a factor of 3 in by a factor of 3 in a matrix potential range of −100 to −350 hPa, while water retention was only slightly affected for the silt clay soil. Already 2 to 5 FTCs enforced a well-connected pore system of narrow macropores in all treatments, but it was steadily improved by further FTCs. The implications of fewer FTCs during milder winters caused by global warming are twofold. In ploughed soils, the beneficial seedbed consolidation will be less intense. In grassland soils, which have reached a soil structure in dynamic equilibrium that has experienced many FTCs in the making, there is still a beneficial increase in water supply through increasing unsaturated hydraulic conductivity by continued FTCs that might also be less efficient in the future.
10
Timms, W. A., R. Crane, D. J. Anderson, S. Bouzalakos, M. Whelan, D. McGeeney, P. F. Rahman, and R. I. Acworth. "Accelerated gravity testing of aquitard core permeability and implications at formation and regional scale." Hydrology and Earth System Sciences 20, no. 1 (January 15, 2016): 39–54. http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/hess-20-39-2016.
Full textAbstract:
Abstract. Evaluating the possibility of leakage through low-permeability geological strata is critically important for sustainable water supplies, the extraction of fuels from coal and other strata, and the confinement of waste within the earth. The current work demonstrates that relatively rapid and realistic vertical hydraulic conductivity (Kv) measurements of aquitard cores using accelerated gravity can constrain and compliment larger-scale assessments of hydraulic connectivity. Steady-state fluid velocity through a low-K porous sample is linearly related to accelerated gravity (g level) in a centrifuge permeameter (CP) unless consolidation or geochemical reactions occur. A CP module was custom designed to fit a standard 2 m diameter geotechnical centrifuge (550 g maximum) with a capacity for sample dimensions up to 100 mm diameter and 200 mm length, and a total stress of ∼ 2 MPa at the base of the core. Formation fluids were used as influent to limit any shrink–swell phenomena, which may alter the permeability. Kv results from CP testing of minimally disturbed cores from three sites within a clayey-silt formation varied from 10−10 to 10−7 m s−1 (number of samples, n = 18). Additional tests were focussed on the Cattle Lane (CL) site, where Kv within the 99 % confidence interval (n = 9) was 1.1 × 10−9 to 2.0 × 10−9 m s−1. These Kv results were very similar to an independent in situ Kv method based on pore pressure propagation though the sequence. However, there was less certainty at two other core sites due to limited and variable Kv data. Blind standard 1 g column tests underestimated Kv compared to CP and in situ Kv data, possibly due to deionised water interactions with clay, and were more time-consuming than CP tests. Our Kv results were compared with the set-up of a flow model for the region, and considered in the context of heterogeneity and preferential flow paths at site and formation scale. Reasonable assessments of leakage and solute transport through aquitards over multi-decadal timescales can be achieved by accelerated core testing together with complimentary hydrogeological monitoring, analysis, and modelling.
11
Timms, W. A., R. Crane, D. J. Anderson, S. Bouzalakos, M. Whelan, D. McGeeney, P. F. Rahman, A. Guinea, and R. I. Acworth. "Vertical hydraulic conductivity of a clayey-silt aquitard: accelerated fluid flow in a centrifuge permeameter compared with in situ conditions." Hydrology and Earth System Sciences Discussions 11, no. 3 (March 21, 2014): 3155–212. http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/hessd-11-3155-2014.
Full textAbstract:
Abstract. Evaluating the possibility of leakage through low permeability geological strata is critically important for sustainable water supplies, extraction of fuels from strata such as coal beds, and confinement of waste within the earth. Characterizing low or negligible flow rates and transport of solutes can require impractically long periods of field or laboratory testing, but is necessary for evaluations over regional areas and over multi-decadal timescales. The current work reports a custom designed centrifuge permeameter (CP) system, which can provide relatively rapid and reliable hydraulic conductivity (K) measurement compared to column permeameter tests at standard gravity (1g). Linear fluid velocity through a low K porous sample is linearly related to g-level during a CP flight unless consolidation or geochemical reactions occur. The CP module is designed to fit within a standard 2 m diameter, geotechnical centrifuge with a capacity for sample dimensions of 30 to 100 mm diameter and 30 to 200 mm in length. At maximum RPM the resultant centrifugal force is equivalent to 550g at base of sample or a total stress of ~2 MPa. K is calculated by measuring influent and effluent volumes. A custom designed mounting system allows minimal disturbance of drill core samples and a centrifugal force that represents realistic in situ stress conditions is applied. Formation fluids were used as influent to limit any shrink-swell phenomena which may alter the resultant K value. Vertical hydraulic conductivity (Kv) results from CP testing of core from the sites in the same clayey silt formation varied (10−7 to 10−9 m s−1, n = 14) but higher than 1g column permeameter tests of adjacent core using deionized water (10−9 to 10−11 m s−1, n = 7). Results at one site were similar to in situ Kv values (3 × 10−9 m s−1) from pore pressure responses within a 30 m clayey sequence in a homogenous area of the formation. Kv sensitivity to sample heterogeneity was observed, and anomalous flow via preferential pathways could be readily identified. Results demonstrate the utility of centrifuge testing for measuring minimum K values that can contribute to assessments of geological formations at large scale. The importance of using realistic stress conditions and influent geochemistry during hydraulic testing is also demonstrated.
12
Su, Huanyu, Hongbin Xiao, Zhenyu Li, Xuwen Tian, Shenping Luo, Xinpei Yu, and Qianwen Ouyang. "Experimental Study on Microstructure Evolution and Fractal Features of Expansive Soil Improved by MICP Method." Frontiers in Materials 9 (March 18, 2022). http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fmats.2022.842887.
Full textAbstract:
Experimental study on one-dimensional consolidation and scanning electron microscope imaging of expansive soil improved by MICP method has been carried out, by using WG type consolidator and electron scanning microscope. Theoretical analysis on microstructure evolution process of improved expansive soil has been carried out based on fractal theory and damage theory. Through the research, the influence mechanism of cementation and filling effect of calcium carbonate precipitation on the microstructure of improved soil samples such as particle size and pore characteristics is revealed. Based on fractal theory, a porosity calculation model of improved expansive soil has been established considering microstructure damage of soil. Furthermore, a fractal calculation theory of consolidation deformation of improved expansive soil has been proposed. The relevant calculation parameters have also been determined. The rationality of this calculation theory is verified by comparing the calculated results with the tested results. With these research results, a theoretical foundation for further research on microstructure evolution of expansive soil improved by MICP method has been laid. A new train of thought for quantitative research on the water stability and swell–shrink characteristics as well as strength characteristics of improved expansive soil has been provided.
13
Cheng, Yongzhen, Yun Dong, Jingke Wu, Baoliang Li, and Jihua Zhang. "GENERATION OF CRACKS IN HIGHWAY EMBANKMENT ON BLACK COTTON SOIL." Stavební obzor - Civil Engineering Journal 30, no. 1 (April 9, 2021). http://dx.doi.org/10.14311/cej.2021.01.0006.
Full textAbstract:
This research revealed the crack generation of the highway embankment from the water losing shrinkage of the wet black cotton soil (BCS), which is a type of soil with high swell-shrink potential. The road seepage meter was used to test the permeability of filling materials, which was used to replace BCS. The moisture content and embankment deflection of BCS foundation were measured after the rainy season. Based on the coupled consolidation theory for unsaturated soil, the change in additional tension stress of the embankment induced by water loss shrinkage of BCS was simulated by Abaqus. The results indicated that the rainfall seeped into the foundation through highly permeable refill materials to result in BCS expansion and decrease the embankment strength. After the rainy season, the additional tensile stress caused by water loss shrinkage of BCS induces cracking of highway embankment, and the maximum cracking depth often appears at the shoulder of highway. The deep and wide cracks are easy to appear in the low embankment constructed on a thick BCS foundation under strong evaporation.
14
"Some Geotechnical Properties of Clay Soil Enhanced with Silica Fume." Civil Engineering Beyond Limits 2, no. 3 (April 3, 2021): 8–11. http://dx.doi.org/10.36937/cebel.2021.003.002.
Full textAbstract:
Engineering structures found in, or on, some clay soil types may be subject to different damages due to the problematic nature and unfavorited properties of these soils. The unfavorited properties of these soils include shrink and swell changes, high settlement, and low bearing capacity. These soils have high sensitivity to moisture change. The way to reduce or overcome the unfavorited properties of problematic soils is the treatment or enhancement of these soils using different mechanical or chemical methods. In the present paper, silica fume selected as a soil stabilizer material, the effect of different contents of this material on the geotechnical properties of expansive clay soil has been experimentally investigated. Tests included soil specific gravity, soil plasticity, soil compaction, and soil compressibility. It was noted that silica fume, with different contents, decreased the specific gravity, and compaction density, while the compaction water content and Atterberg limits increased. The consolidation parameters of the expansive clay soil were affected by adding the silica fume. The silica fume reduced the consolidation parameters values of the clay soil. At low content silica fume, less than 10%, a very slight reduction can be seen especially for the rebound index value. The final findings of this paper appeared that the high settlement of clay soil can be reduced with the presence of silica fume.
15
Bulko, Roman, and Soňa Masarovičová. "Effect of Lime Filling on the Compactibility of Clay Soils." Civil and Environmental Engineering, November 7, 2022. http://dx.doi.org/10.2478/cee-2022-0047.
Full textAbstract:
Abstract Insufficient resilience of the natural environment is one of the many problems with the foundation of linear structures, and one of the ways to solve the foundation of a linear structure is the stabilization of soils. Fine-grained soils are problematic for traffic construction. The properties of clay soils change due to climatic conditions. They swell and become plastic in the presence of water, shrink in dry conditions, increase in volume, and freeze due to frost. Improving the properties of fine-grained soils with lime is a suitable solution to the problem in traffic construction. The purpose of soil improvement is to modify soil properties such as creating soil without cavities and gaps, increasing shear strength, reduce compressibility and permeability, the soil must be able to transfer the load without further settling (or unnatural compression). Soil improvement can be defined as an intervention in the natural geological environment or artificially built earth structures (embankments, notches), the purpose of which is to increase the resistance of the subsoil, achieve even settlement of the structure or object, accelerate consolidation, optimally build earth structures, etc. We can encounter the stabilization of the subsoil in all types of constructions, but most often in line constructions and water management construction. In our article, we focus on the effects of soil treatment with lime. The treated soil was F8 (CH) clay with high plasticity.
16
Kraaijeveld, F., J. M. Huyghe, J. J. C. Remmers, and R. de Borst. "Two-Dimensional Mode I Crack Propagation in Saturated Ionized Porous Media Using Partition of Unity Finite Elements." Journal of Applied Mechanics 80, no. 2 (February 6, 2013). http://dx.doi.org/10.1115/1.4007904.
Full textAbstract:
Shales, clays, hydrogels, and tissues swell and shrink under changing osmotic conditions, which may lead to failure. The relationship between the presence of cracks and fluid flow has had little attention. The relationship between failure and osmotic conditions has had even less attention. The aim of this research is to study the effect of osmotic conditions on propagating discontinuities under different types of loads for saturated ionized porous media using the finite element method (FEM). Discontinuous functions are introduced in the shape functions of the FEM by partition of unity method, independently of the underlying mesh. Damage ahead of the crack-tip is introduced by a cohesive zone model. Tensile loading of a crack in an osmoelastic medium results in opening of the crack and high pressure gradients between the crack and the formation. The fluid flow in the crack is approximated by Couette flow. Results show that failure behavior depends highly on the load, permeability, (osmotic) prestress and the stiffness of the material. In some cases it is seen that when the crack propagation initiates, fluid is attracted to the crack-tip from the crack rather than from the surrounding medium causing the crack to close. The results show reasonable mesh-independent crack propagation for materials with a high stiffness. Stepwise crack propagation through the medium is seen due to consolidation, i.e., crack propagation alternates with pauses in which the fluid redistributes. This physical phenomenon challenges the numerical scheme. Furthermore, propagation is shown to depend on the osmotic prestressing of the medium. This mechanism may explain the tears observed in intervertebral disks as degeneration progresses.