Low-strain dynamic characterization of undisturbed Leda clay

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Irfan ◽  
Giovanni Cascante ◽  
Dipanjan Basu ◽  
Denis LeBoeuf
Keyword(s):  
Shear Wave ◽  
Wave Velocity ◽  
Shear Wave Velocity ◽  
Damping Ratio ◽  
Excitation Frequency ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
High Plasticity ◽  
Bender Element ◽  
Clay Deposits ◽  
Leda Clay

The low-strain dynamic behavior of Leda clays is investigated using the resonant column (RC) and bender element (BE) tests. Four undisturbed, lightly overconsolidated Leda clay samples, collected from two sites near the St-Lawrence River valley, are tested at different strains, confining stresses, and frequencies. To evaluate the effect of excitation frequency, simultaneous measurements of shear wave velocity using RC and BE tests are performed. The results show that the samples from the different sites behave differently. The high sensitivity of the Leda clays does not have a significant effect on the modulus degradation curves. However, the measured degradation curves are similar to those of soft clays with high plasticity, which is contrary to the expected behaviour of these low plasticity (Ip = 6.2-20) specimens. Likewise, the measured damping ratios are on the lower end of the typical values reported for soils of high plasticity. Low values of damping ratio make the amplification of small seismic events more likely in Leda clay deposits. The difference in the shear wave velocity measurements from RC and BE tests ranges from 17% to 26% depending on the confinement, likely because of the strong influence of P-waves observed in the BE tests for these soils.

Phase and amplitude responses associated with the measurement of shear-wave velocity in sand by bender elements

2000 ◽  
Vol 37 (6) ◽  
pp. 1348-1357 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Blewett ◽  
I J Blewett ◽  
P K Woodward
Keyword(s):  
Shear Wave ◽  
Wave Velocity ◽  
Shear Wave Velocity ◽  
Excitation Frequency ◽  
Maximum Velocity ◽  
Finite Frequency ◽  
Bender Element ◽  
Bender Elements ◽  
Phase Sensitive ◽  
Phase Sensitive Detection

Shear-wave velocity measured by bender elements in laboratory sand samples is shown to be dependent upon the excitation frequency and exhibits a maximum velocity for a finite frequency. By comparing the relative effects of dispersion due to propagation of shear waves through sand and dispersion due to bender element performance within sand, we show that a combination of the two processes is required to explain the observations. The magnitude of the aggregate response of the bender elements and the sand implies that reliable shear-wave velocity results cannot be obtained from bender element tests without a prior knowledge of the frequency response of the entire system.Key words: shear-wave velocity, phase-sensitive detection, dispersion, attenuation, sand.

scholarly journals Effect of Confining Pressures on the Dynamic Response Characteristics of Niger Delta Clay Soils

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 377-386
Author(s):  
J. O. Okovido ◽  
C. Kennedy
Keyword(s):  
Shear Modulus ◽  
Shear Wave ◽  
Wave Velocity ◽  
Shear Wave Velocity ◽  
Niger Delta ◽  
Damping Ratio ◽  
Bender Element ◽  
Confinement Pressure ◽  
Niger Delta Region ◽  
Test Parameters

The study investigated the earthquake potential in Niger Delta region of Nigeria. A series of resonant column and bender element test was performed on compacted clay soil samples across the investigated Niger Delta States, which showed the influence of confinement on frequency, shear modulus, shear velocity and damping ratio. The confinement in clay was high. The frequency response increases with pressure increase. Also, the resonance column test at various confinements revealed changes in shear modulus, accelerometer output and damping ratio. Thus, there was high variation in the test parameters as confinement pressure was increased. Similarly, the bender element tests also showed that pressure has effect on shear wave-velocity, shear modulus and damping ratio confinement. Although, unlike Resonance Column tests, the shear modulus and shear wave-velocity generally increased as confinement pressure was increased, while for damping ratio it decreases as confinement pressure was increased. The variations in resonance column/binder element test parameters showed that the Niger Delta region, as an oil and gas area, is susceptible to earthquake. Therefore, continuous monitoring of oil exploration activities must be put in place.

scholarly journals Effect of Confining Pressures on Dynamic Response Characteristics of Silty Soils in the Niger Delta

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 404-412
Author(s):  
J. O. Okovido ◽  
C. Kennedy
Keyword(s):  
Shear Modulus ◽  
Shear Wave ◽  
Wave Velocity ◽  
Shear Wave Velocity ◽  
Niger Delta ◽  
Damping Ratio ◽  
Bender Element ◽  
Delta Region ◽  
Confinement Pressure ◽  
Niger Delta Region

The probability of earthquake occurrence in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria was studied in this research. The resonant column/bender element tests were used for the study. Series of analysis were carried out on compacted silt in subsoil strata obtained from various locations in Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta and Akwa Ibom States. The effects of confinement on frequency, shear modulus, shear velocity and damping ratio were studied. The tests results revealed that confinement has effects on the investigated parameters. Thus, frequency response increases with increase in confinement pressure. Also, the resonance column test at various confinements revealed changes in shear modulus, accelerometer output and damping ratio. Accordingly, there was high disparity in the tested parameters as confinement pressure was increased. Similarly, the bender element tests also showed that pressure has effect on shear wave-velocity, shear modulus and damping ratio confinement. The shear modulus and shear wave-velocity generally increased as confinement pressure was increased, while damping ratio decreases as confinement pressure was increased. The variations in Resonance Column/Bender Element test parameters showed that the silty soil in the Niger Delta region, an oil and gas rich area, is likely to experience earthquake in the future. Therefore, geological data should be collated for monitoring, especially as several geological activities take place in the region.

Critical Insights in Laboratory Shear Wave Velocity Correlations of Clays

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dania Elbeggo ◽  
Yannic Ethier ◽  
Jean-Sébastien Dubé ◽  
Mourad Karray
Keyword(s):  
Shear Wave ◽  
Wave Velocity ◽  
Shear Wave Velocity ◽  
Earth Pressure ◽  
Dynamic Parameter ◽  
Clay Deposits ◽  
Sample Disturbance ◽  
P Rat

Shear wave velocity is an important mechanical/dynamic parameter allowing the characterization of a soil in the elastic range (γ < 0.001 %). Thirty five existing laboratory correlations of small strains shear modulus or shear wave velocity were examined in this study and are grouped into different general forms based on their geotechnical properties. A database of 11 eastern Canadian clay deposits was selected and used for the critical insights. The effect of the coefficient of earth pressure at rest was also examined. A range of variation for each general form of correlation was determined to take the plasticity index and void ratio values of investigated sites into account. The analysis shows a significant scatter in normalized shear wave velocity values predicted by existing correlations and raises questions on the applicability of these correlations, especially for eastern Canadian clays. New correlations are proposed for Champlain clays based on laboratory measurement of shear wave velocity using the piezoelectric ring actuator technique, P-RAT, incorporated in consolidation cells. An analysis of P-RAT results reveals the sample disturbance effect and suggests an approach to correct the effect of disturbance on laboratory shear wave velocity measurements. The applicability of the proposed correlations, including the disturbance correction, is validated by comparison with in situ measurements using multi-modal analysis of surface waves (MMASW).

scholarly journals Shear modulus of hydrate bearing calcareous sand-fines mixture

2019 ◽  
Vol 92 ◽  
pp. 04002
Author(s):  
Litong Ji ◽  
Abraham C.F. Chiu ◽  
Lu Ma ◽  
Chao Jian
Keyword(s):  
Shear Modulus ◽  
Shear Wave ◽  
Wave Velocity ◽  
Shear Wave Velocity ◽  
Hydrate Formation ◽  
Confining Pressure ◽  
Specimen Preparation ◽  
Bender Element ◽  
Calcareous Sand ◽  
Bender Element Test

This article presents a laboratory study on the maximum shear modulus of a THF hydrate bearing calcareous sand (CS)–fines mixture. The maximum shear modulus was inferred from the shear wave velocity measured from the bender elements installed in a temperature-controlled triaxial apparatus. The specimen preparation procedures were specially designed to mimic the hydrate formation inside the internal pores of CS. A trial test was conducted to validate whether the shear wave velocity is a feasible parameter to monitor the formation and dissociation of hydrate in the CS-fines mixture. Based on the bender element test results, hydrate has a more profound effect than confining pressure on enhancing the maximum shear modulus of CS-fines mixture.

Automatic Shear Wave Velocity Estimation in Bender Element Testing

2016 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 20140197 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Finas ◽  
H. Ali ◽  
G. Cascante ◽  
P. Vanheeghe
Keyword(s):  
Shear Wave ◽  
Wave Velocity ◽  
Shear Wave Velocity ◽  
Velocity Estimation ◽  
Bender Element

Geogrid Stabilization of Unbound Aggregates Evaluated Through Bender Element Shear Wave Measurement in Repeated Load Triaxial Testing

2020 ◽  
Vol 2674 (3) ◽  
pp. 113-125
Author(s):  
Mingu Kang ◽  
Joon Han Kim ◽  
Issam I. A. Qamhia ◽  
Erol Tutumluer ◽  
Mark H. Wayne
Keyword(s):  
Shear Wave ◽  
Wave Velocity ◽  
Shear Wave Velocity ◽  
Resilient Modulus ◽  
Triaxial Tests ◽  
Triaxial Testing ◽  
Bender Element ◽  
Wave Measurement ◽  
Repeated Load ◽  
Repeated Load Triaxial

This paper describes the use of the bender element (BE) shear wave measurement technology for quantifying the effectiveness of geogrid stabilization of unbound aggregate materials with improved mechanical properties from repeated load triaxial testing. Crushed stone aggregate specimens were prepared with three different gradations, that is, upper bound (UB), mid-range engineered (ENG), and lower bound, according to the dense graded base course gradation specification in Illinois. The specimens were compacted at modified Proctor maximum dry densities and optimum moisture contents. Two geogrids with different triaxial aperture sizes were placed at specimen mid-height, and unstabilized specimens with no geogrid were also prepared for comparison. To measure shear wave velocity, three BE pairs were placed at different heights above geogrid. Repeated load triaxial tests were conducted following the AASHTO T307 standard resilient modulus test procedure, while shear wave velocity was measured from the installed BE pairs. After initial specimen conditioning, and at low, intermediate, and high applied stress states, both the resilient moduli and accumulated permanent strains were determined to relate to the geogrid local stiffening effects in the specimens quantified by the measured shear wave velocities. The resilient modulus and shear wave velocity trends exhibited a directly proportional relationship, whereas permanent strain and shear wave velocity values were inversely related. The enhancement ratios calculated for the geogrid stabilized over the unstabilized specimens showed significant improvements in mechanical behavior for the UB and ENG gradations, and a maximum enhancement was achieved for the engineered gradation specimens stabilized with the smaller aperture geogrid.

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