A potential systematic error in laboratory testing of very loose sands
There is a potential error in the determination of specimen void ratio in triaxial tests on very loose sands. This error can be attributed to densification during final saturation. The result can be an error in the determination of the location of the steady state flow line in void ratio – stress space. Stress levels on the steady state flow line at a given void ratio may be in error by two orders of magnitude. If carried through to the analysis of susceptibility to liquefaction, this potential error could be extremely unconservative. Test results are presented that illustrate this potential source of error. A laboratory procedure is proposed that provides a simple calculation of final specimen void ratio and is potentially more accurate than presently used procedures. Key words: triaxial testing, sand, liquefaction, steady state.