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

Author(s):  
Mingu Kang ◽  
Joon Han Kim ◽  
Issam I. A. Qamhia ◽  
Erol Tutumluer ◽  
Mark H. Wayne

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.

2019 ◽  
Vol 92 ◽  
pp. 04002
Author(s):  
Litong Ji ◽  
Abraham C.F. Chiu ◽  
Lu Ma ◽  
Chao Jian

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.


2016 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 20140197 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Finas ◽  
H. Ali ◽  
G. Cascante ◽  
P. Vanheeghe

Author(s):  
Anand J. Puppala ◽  
Aravinda M. Ramakrishna ◽  
Laureano R. Hoyos

Three chemical stabilization methods—sulfate resistant cement (Type V), low-calcium fly-ash (Class F) mixed with sulfate resistant cement (Type V), and ground granulated blast furnace slag—were used in a series of repeated load triaxial tests on clayey soil to assess the effectiveness of these three stabilizers in enhancing resilient modulus ( MR) properties of the soil. MR results were measured from repeated load triaxial tests conducted on both control and treated soils at optimum moisture content levels. Test results were analyzed to understand the potentials of each stabilizer on MR response of the soils and to study the effects of confining and deviatoric stresses on resilient response of the treated soils. Mechanisms for MR enhancements in treated soils were developed, and a series of flexible pavement design exercises was conducted to evaluate the impact of each stabilizer on the design thickness of the asphalt surface layer of pavements.


Author(s):  
Andrew R. Dawson ◽  
Simon D. Gillett

Five laboratories have been involved in a series of comparative studies of the repeated load triaxial testing of soils and unbound granular materials as found in the lower layers of pavement construction. These comparisons with soil, granular materials, and an artificial specimen are outlined. The performance of the varied types of instruments that measure both axial and radial deformations is assessed, with particular attention to the fixing arrangements, instrument limitations, and weight. On the basis of the information presented, recommendations are given about the most appropriate types of instrument. No universal type is recommended, and it is clear that some variation in performance is an inevitable consequence of the measurement process.


2020 ◽  
Vol 57 (12) ◽  
pp. 2027-2030
Author(s):  
Guan Chen ◽  
Fang-Tong Wang ◽  
Dian-Qing Li ◽  
Yong Liu

Determining shear wave velocity is a critical technique in bender element tests, as it can be readily affected by near-field effects, wave reflection, and other factors. This study proposes a new method based on the dyadic wavelet transform modulus maxima. Combining the local modulus maxima of dyadic wavelet transform approximate coefficients at fine decomposition levels and an appropriate threshold value, the proposed method can automatically detect the target point. For validation, a comparative study among the dyadic wavelet transform modulus maxima, peak-to-peak, first arrival, and cross-correlation methods was carried out using 140 sets of bender element signals. The comparison results show that the proposed method not only mitigates the adverse effects of near-field, later major peaks, and noise contamination, but is also more robust in estimating shear wave velocity.


1990 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 441-460 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li Yan ◽  
Peter M. Byrne

A method of simulating downhole and crosshole seismic shear-wave tests in a model under controlled stress conditionsis described. The downhole and shear wave in horizontal plane (SH) crosshole shear waves are generated and received along the principal stress axes using piezoceramic bender elements. The K0in situ stress conditions, including loading and unloading stress paths, are simulated by the hydraulic gradient similitude method, which allows high stresses simulating field conditions to be obtained. The horizontal stress during the tests is directly measured by a lateral total-stress transducer. The test data are used to evaluate various published empirical equations that relate shear-wave velocity and soil stress state. It is found that although the various empirical equations can predict the in situ shear-wave velocity profile reasonably well, only the equation that relates the shear-wave velocity to the individual principal stresses in the directions of wave propagation and particle motion can predict the variation of the velocity ratio between the downhole and SH crosshole tests. It was also found that the stress ratio has some effects on the downhole (or shear wave in vertical plane (SV) crosshole) shear-wave velocity, but not on the SH crosshole shear-wave velocity. This indicates that it is only the stress ratio in the plane of wave propagation that is important to the shear-wave velocity. Comparison between the downhole and SH crosshole shows that structure anisotropy is in the order of 10%. In addjtion, K0 values are predicted from shear-wave measurement and compared with measured ones. The difficulties in obtaining K0 values from shear-wave measurement are also discussed. Key words: hydraulic gradient, model tests, downhole and crosshole shear-wave tests, sand.


2019 ◽  
Vol 56 (7) ◽  
pp. 1034-1041 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qasim Khan ◽  
Sathya Subramanian ◽  
Dawn Y.C. Wong ◽  
Taeseo Ku

For the quality control of cement mixing in clays, small-strain shear stiffness Gmax is now increasingly being used due to enhanced repeatability in shear wave velocity (Vs) measurements. These stiff cemented clays have higher resonant frequencies that require the use of higher input frequencies in bender element testing for reliable Vs measurements. However, the practical requirements for suitable signals (with minimal near-field effects and wave reflections) can often be difficult to implement. To facilitate such Vs measurements, the current study proposes a methodology that can correct Vs values corresponding to lower wave propagation distance to wavelength ratios (Ltt/λ) to more reliable values of Vs at reference Ltt/λ criterion suggested in previous studies (e.g., 2, 3.33, and 4). Two clay types are mixed with ordinary Portland cement and various mix ratios are utilized to cover a wider range of soil stiffnesses. Based on the collected database, it is found that the resulting fitting functions enable the reasonable estimation of the stabilized Vs values corresponding to the suggested Ltt/λ criterion regardless of the nature of the input sine signal.


2006 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 169-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toshihiro OGINO ◽  
Hiroshi OIKAWA ◽  
Toshiyuki MITACHI ◽  
Masaki TSUSHIMA ◽  
Kohta NISHIDA

Author(s):  
Guillermo Alexander Riveros ◽  
Abouzar Sadrekarimi

Static liquefaction failure of tailings impoundments has been a persistent issue for the mining industry for many decades. In this study, the monotonic shearing response and instability of gold tailings is examined through a series of constant-volume and drained direct simple shear tests on slurry-deposited and moist-tamped specimens. The experiments were carried out on both the silt and the sand tailings produced at the mill and separated for use in dam construction. Laboratory shear wave velocity measurements made by means of bender element tests were also used to relate the shearing response and strength of the tailings to an in-situ geophysical measurement. Specimen fabric differences produced by the different preparation methods do not translate into significant differences in the critical state line, liquefaction triggering, or post-liquefaction strength for the sand tailings. Additionally, common trends of undrained yield and post-liquefaction strength ratios with state parameter were observed for both the sand and the silt tailings despite their different fines contents. An empirical method to evaluate the onset of instability and the post-liquefaction strength of the tailings using shear wave velocity is proposed.


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