Evolution of water content and suction of Opalinus Clay from recovery at the drilling site to handling in the laboratory

Advanced geotechnical engineering applications, such as shale gas extraction, CO2 geological sequestration, and geological radioactive waste storage, often involve various types of shales located at significant depths. Shales exhibit mechanical properties that are highly influenced by their hydration state and are exposed to substantial stress relief during extraction from considerable depths. This results in the development of elevated total suction (free energy per unit volume of pore water). While water content measurements are conventionally employed for characterizing these materials, ongoing discussions and uncertainties persist regarding the relevance and representativeness of laboratory suction measurements, particularly in light of potential influences stemming from core extraction and conditioning processes. A recent extensive borehole drilling campaign has provided a unique opportunity to offer scientific insights into specimens of Opalinus Clay shale, extracted from various locations and depths. These specimens were examined in their freshly extracted on-site condition and their freshly opened condition in the laboratory. Notably, it has been observed that suction and water content measurements acquired on-site immediately after core extraction differ from those obtained in the laboratory. The evolution of suction and water content from the field to the laboratory is closely linked to the main drying water retention behavior of the geomaterial.