Ajani Harrison
January 26, 2026
CEE 3400
Homework 1
1. Briefly explain the formaDon of Georgia Red Clay.
The formaDon of Georgia Red Clay is through chemical weathering. This leaves behind a “clay” rich in
iron content, and residual soils. Georgia Red “Clay” is actually not clay at all.
2. Briefly explain the terms: fabric, void, dispersed, flocculated
Fabric: The structural arrangement of soil parDcles
Void: The space between mineral parDcles. Can be filled with liquid, gas, and cemenDDous materials.
Dispersed: Refers to soil that is packed with soil parDcles posiDoned face-to-face.
Flocculated: Refers to soil that is packed with soil parDcles posiDoned edge-to-face or edge-to-edge.
3. a) Calculate the specific surface area (in m2/g) of the following three clay minerals. Clearly state
any assumpDons made. b) Which type of clay is the best opDon for sealing underground nuclear
waste depositories? Why?
Montmorillonite is the best opDon because it has the greatest surface area per gram of material.
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