In-situ clay nano-mechanics

Understanding the mechanical behavior of clay at the particle scale is critical for advancing soil mechanics and geoscience. In this study, we perform in-situ oedometric compression tests on clay samples while simultaneously imaging their microstructure at the nanometer scale. This unique experimental setup enables, for the first time, direct observation and quantification of individual clay particle displacements and rearrangements under external loading. The results will provide unprecedented insight into the fundamental mechanisms governing clay deformation and will open new pathways for linking macroscopic soil behavior with nanoscale processes.