scholarly journals The small strain stiffness from bender elements tests for clayey soils

2018 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 353-371
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Markowska-Lech ◽  
Wojciech Sas ◽  
Mariusz Lech ◽  
Katarzyna Gabryś ◽  
Alojzy Szymański
Keyword(s):  
Field Tests ◽  
Small Strain ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Bender Elements ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Small Strain Stiffness ◽  
Seismic Wave Velocities ◽  
Case Basis ◽  
Hardening Soil Model

Abstract The shear modulus of soils at small strain (G0) is one of the input parameters in a finite element analysis with the hardening soil model with small strain stiffness, required in the advanced numerical analyses of geotechnical engineering problems. The small strain stiffness can be determined based on the seismic wave velocities measured in the laboratory and field tests, but the interpretation of test results is still under discussion because of many different factors affecting the measurements of the wave travel time. The recommendations and proposed solutions found in the literature are helpful as a guide, but ought to be adopted with a certain measure of care and caution on a case-by-case basis. The equipment, procedures, tests results and interpretation analyses of bender elements (BE) tests performed on natural overconsolidated cohesive soils are presented.

Field Tests of Guide Vanes and Runner Blades of a Large Bulb Turbine for Output Deficiency Diagnosis

2012 ◽  
Vol 212-213 ◽  
pp. 1057-1061 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhong Liu ◽  
Zhu Qing Huang ◽  
Shu Yun Zou ◽  
Hong De Rao
Keyword(s):  
Field Tests ◽  
Economic Loss ◽  
Hydropower Plant ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Guide Vanes ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Runner Blade ◽  
Main Factors ◽  
Theoretical Analyses ◽  
Bulb Turbine

The 3# bulb turbine in Hongjiang Hydropower Plant has faced the problem of output deficiency since its commission in Sept. 2003, which caused a large economic loss. Following simple theoretical analyses on the main factors affecting the turbine’s output and efficiency, the field test schemes were determined to measure the shapes and intervals of guide vanes and runner blades of the 3#, 5# and 6# turbines. The test results discover that the average blade intervals of the 3# turbine are generally less than those of the 5# one. Suggestions on runner blade installation adjustment and combined curve modification are given.

scholarly journals Small Strain Stiffness of Artificially Cemented Soft Clay: Modelling the Effect of Structure Degradation

2019 ◽  
Vol 92 ◽  
pp. 11009
Author(s):  
Qasim Khan ◽  
Yannick Ng ◽  
Taeseo Ku
Keyword(s):  
Soft Clay ◽  
Small Strain ◽  
Kaolin Clay ◽  
Bender Elements ◽  
Confining Stress ◽  
Soft Clays ◽  
Small Strain Stiffness ◽  
Structure Degradation ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Vertically Aligned

This paper presents a study on the evolution of small strain stiffness (Gmax) along vertical and horizontal directions for lightly cemented clay. Soft clays have historically been a subject for studying the evolution of stiffness anisotropy under varying loading conditions. These studies have focused on stress history (overconsolidation) effects as well. However, for lightly cemented clays, such studies are limited and their main scope has primarily been on the evolution of vertically aligned stiffness (GVH) at varying effective confining stresses. This study investigates the effect of isotropic loading on uncemented and lightly cemented kaolin clay. Kaolin clay mixed with 10% cement is used in this study. Stiffness measurements have been conducted using bender elements for obtaining GVH and GHH hence resulting in the measurement of vertical and horizontal stiffness values respectively. By comparing the behaviour of both samples, the influence of bonding and fabric due to cementation on the evolution of stiffness and anisotropy is studied. In order to characterize the behavior of structure in cemented soil with confining stress, a modelling equation is applied for the cemented sample to predict the variation of Gmax before and after yielding.

Effects of stress paths on the small-strain stiffness of completely decomposed granite

2005 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 1200-1211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Wang ◽  
C WW Ng
Keyword(s):  
Shear Strain ◽  
Shear Stiffness ◽  
Stress Path ◽  
Small Strain ◽  
Bender Elements ◽  
Small Strain Stiffness ◽  
Small Strains ◽  
Average Shear ◽  
Decomposed Granite ◽  
Completely Decomposed Granite

Research on the small-strain (0.001%–1%) characteristics of sedimentary soils and sands has advanced to the stage where it has been utilized in engineering analysis and design for some time. Despite the progress, the stiffness characteristics of weathered materials such as completely decomposed granite (CDG) at small strains have still attracted relatively little research attention. This paper describes a systematic laboratory investigation of the small-strain characteristics of intact CDG subjected to various triaxial stress paths, including drained compression and extension tests. The small-strain stiffness was measured using bender elements and internal local transducers. Measurements from bender elements illustrate that the elastic shear modulus of CDG increases as the mean effective stress increases and the void ratio decreases. Significant nonlinear shear stiffness – shear strain and bulk modulus – volumetric strain relationships were observed. At 0.01% shear strain, the measured average shear stiffness obtained from the extension tests was about 60% higher than that from the compression tests. The average shear stiffness for the tests with a 90° rotation of the stress path was about 50%–70% higher than that of tests without a change in the direction of the stress path after saturation.Key words: completely decomposed granite, nonlinearity, small strains, extension, compression, recent stress history.

scholarly journals Parameters of Sand-Tyre Chips Mixture for Hardening Soil Small Constitutive Model

2021 ◽  
Vol 1203 (2) ◽  
pp. 022067
Author(s):  
Magdalena Kowalska
Keyword(s):  
Constitutive Models ◽  
Small Strain ◽  
Bender Elements ◽  
Empirical Formulas ◽  
Anthropogenic Soils ◽  
Material Parameters ◽  
Compression Stiffness ◽  
Strain Relationship ◽  
Soil Behaviour ◽  
Hardening Soil Model

Abstract Hardening Soil model with the small strain extension (HSS) is lately one of the most popular constitutive models to describe soil behaviour. It is versatile – includes the phenomena of shear strength, stress history, dilatancy, volumetric and shear hardening, hyperbolic stress-strain relationship in axial compression, stiffness dependency on stress and its degradation with strain, as well as the regain of the high stiffness after sharp loading reversals. Even though the model is advanced and complex, accordingly to its authors, it is relatively easy to calibrate based on results of standard tests and empirical formulas. In this paper an attempt was undertaken to estimate the parameters of untypical anthropogenic soils – mixtures of sand and scrap tyre rubber in order to build a database for future numerical analyses. A literature review was conducted and, eventually, the material parameters were determined based on results of a series of laboratory tests (cyclic and monotonic triaxial with bender elements, direct shear) published by researchers of Wollongong University of Australia.

Small to intermediate strain properties of fly ashes with various carbon and biomass contents

2016 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Choo ◽  
N.N. Yeboah ◽  
S.E. Burns
Keyword(s):  
Void Ratio ◽  
Small Strain ◽  
Interparticle Contact ◽  
Bender Elements ◽  
Fly Ashes ◽  
Small Strain Stiffness ◽  
Initial Void Ratio ◽  
Constrained Modulus ◽  
Stiffness Anisotropy ◽  
Biomass Particles

High-carbon-content fly ashes with biomass particles are typically landfilled in accordance with the ASTM C618 regulation. To quantify their geotechnical properties relating to storage and disposal, this study evaluates the small to intermediate strain properties of fly ashes with various carbon and biomass contents. Tested fly ashes had carbon contents ranging from 1.1% to 9.6%, resulting from co-combusting coal with biomass (biomass contents ranging from 0% to 8.2% by weight). The small-strain stiffness and intermediate-strain constrained modulus were evaluated using consolidation tests performed in a modified oedometer cell equipped with bender elements. It was found that initial void ratio governed the compressibility (or constrained modulus) of fly ashes, and with an increase in carbon and biomass contents, the small-strain stiffness of fly ashes decreased due to the decrease in number of direct contacts between microspheres. In addition, the interfine void ratio, ef, was employed instead of global void ratio to capture the alteration of interparticle contact or interparticle coordination between microspheres, due to the change in carbon and biomass contents. Finally, the stiffness in an overconsolidated state and the stiffness anisotropy of fly ashes were evaluated.

scholarly journals Stress path dependent small strain stiffness of Shanghai clay

2019 ◽  
Vol 92 ◽  
pp. 04003
Author(s):  
Xiaoqiang Gu ◽  
Youhong Li ◽  
Fayun Liang ◽  
Maosong Huang
Keyword(s):  
Pressure Coefficient ◽  
Earth Pressure ◽  
Stress Path ◽  
Small Strain ◽  
Response Analysis ◽  
Bender Elements ◽  
Ground Response Analysis ◽  
Small Strain Stiffness ◽  
Path Dependent ◽  
The One

The soil small strain stiffness plays an important role in many geotechnical applications such as machine foundations, deep excavations and earthquake ground response analysis. In this study, the small strain stiffness of saturated intact Shanghai clay specimen is measured in a hollow cylinder apparatus. The lateral earth pressure coefficient at rest is measured first during the one-dimensional consolidation. After consolidation, the very small strain stiffness is obtained by shear wave measurement using bender elements, while the degradation of small strain stiffness with strain is investigated by quasi-static loading with high resolution linear variable displacement transducers (LVDT). The effect of stress path on the small strain stiffness is also investigated. The results show that the small strain stiffness is nonlinear and significantly depends on the stress path.

Determination of the Small-Strain Stiffness of Hard Soils by Means of Bender Elements and Accelerometers

2013 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 1369-1375 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristiana Ferreira ◽  
João P. Martins ◽  
António Gomes Correia
Keyword(s):  
Small Strain ◽  
Bender Elements ◽  
Small Strain Stiffness ◽  
Hard Soils
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