ABSTRACT

The behavior of HBS is complex in nature as disassociation may take place due to an increase in temperature; a decrease in fluid pressure; changes in the fluid chemistry, or a combination of them. The dissociation causes important changes on the mass transport of fluids and fluid pressures. Changes in fluid pressures will alter the effective stress, affecting in turn the stiffness, strength and dilatancy of the sediment. It is evident that the behavior of HBS is controlled by strong THM coupled processes.