Undrained shear strength of partially saturated sand in triaxial tests

2009 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toshiyuki Kamata ◽  
Yoshimichi Tsukamoto ◽  
Kenji Ishihara
Keyword(s):  
Shear Strength ◽  
Triaxial Compression ◽  
B Value ◽  
Undrained Shear Strength ◽  
Triaxial Tests ◽  
Strength Ratio ◽  
Saturated Sand ◽  
Partially Saturated ◽  
Partially Saturated Sand ◽  
Undrained Shear

The undrained shear strength of partially saturated sand is examined based on a series of undrained triaxial compression and extension tests on Toyoura sand. The effects of partial saturation, density, and triaxial compression/extension modes are discussed in detail. The conditions of “flow” and “no flow” are categorised in terms of contractive and dilative behaviours. The threshold values of the undrained shear strength ratio dividing “flow” and “no flow” are found to be independent of the B-value and triaxial compression/extension modes. The empirical relations of the B-value against the initial state ratio rc and the undrained shear strength ratio Sus/p’c are discussed in detail.

scholarly journals Parameter variability of undrained shear strength and strain using a database of reconstituted soil tests

2020 ◽  
Vol 57 (8) ◽  
pp. 1247-1255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mair E.W. Beesley ◽  
Paul J. Vardanega
Keyword(s):  
Shear Strength ◽  
Shear Strain ◽  
Triaxial Compression ◽  
Undrained Shear Strength ◽  
Triaxial Tests ◽  
Shear Mode ◽  
Soil Failure ◽  
Ground Investigation ◽  
Reconstituted Soil ◽  
Undrained Shear

During construction, the mobilization of undrained shear strength must be limited to avoid soil failure. Soil strains must be controlled to avoid compromising structural serviceability. To assess foundation performance by strength mobilization, an understanding of soil strains at various levels of strength mobilization is required. In practice, ground investigation data are often limited, and assessment of the expected variation of stress–strain and undrained shear strength is improved with empirical correlations calibrated with a database. The new database RFG/TXCU-278 contains data of 278 consolidated–undrained triaxial tests on reconstituted fine-grained soil samples compiled from the literature. Analysis of the database to evaluate the variability of undrained strength ratio (cu/[Formula: see text]) and a reference shear strain with shear mode is undertaken in this paper. The new database provides evidence that shear strain (like undrained shear strength) is sensitive to the consolidation (isotropic or K0) and shear mode (triaxial compression or extension) applied in the test. For the materials included in the database, the strength mobilization parameters obtained from a triaxial compression test can be used to predict the corresponding triaxial extension parameters to a reasonable accuracy.

A Characteristic and a Precisely Constitutive Model for Undrained Clay

2020 ◽  
Vol 975 ◽  
pp. 203-207
Author(s):  
Shih Tsung Hsu ◽  
Wen Chi Hu ◽  
Yu Heng Lin ◽  
Zhuo Ling
Keyword(s):  
Shear Strength ◽  
Plastic Strain ◽  
Constitutive Model ◽  
Strain Hardening ◽  
Undrained Shear Strength ◽  
Triaxial Tests ◽  
Stress Strain ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Taipei Basin ◽  
Undrained Shear

Constitutive models for soils are usually adopted in numerical method to analyze the behavior of geotechnical structures. This study performs a series of consolidated-undrained triaxial tests to establish the stress-strain curve of clay. A constitutive model that considers continuous strain hardening-softening is proposed based on the results of triaxial tests. Triaxial test results reveal that undrained shear strength linearly increases with an increase in consolidated pressure , the normalized undrained shear strength is about 0.52 not only for this study but also for the other two cases around Taipei Basin. Due to undrained condition, an associated flow rule between plastic strain increment and stress tensor is adopted. As accumulative plastic strain or/and consolidated pressure change, the mobilized undrained shear strength also changes. All parameters needed for the proposed model can be expressed as a function of undrained shear strength Su, The mobilized undrained shear strength for the proposed model during strain hardening-softening can be in term of accumulative plastic strain. This model can calculate the stress-strain curves of clayed soils accurately.

Triaxial tests on model sand columns in clay

2004 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 299-312 ◽  
Author(s):  
V Sivakumar ◽  
D McKelvey ◽  
J Graham ◽  
D Hughes
Keyword(s):  
Shear Strength ◽  
Undrained Shear Strength ◽  
Stone Columns ◽  
Triaxial Tests ◽  
Column Length ◽  
Uniform Loading ◽  
Moist Sand ◽  
Triaxial Cell ◽  
Foundation Type ◽  
Undrained Shear

Vibro-stone columns can improve the bearing capacity and reduce the settlement of foundations. Their performance depends on the strength of the column material, reinforcement method of column installation, type of in situ soil, area replacement ratio, and column length. This paper examines the behaviour of small laboratory specimens of soft clay (undrained shear strength ≈ 30 kPa) reinforced with sand columns when tested under known boundary stress conditions. Two series of tests were carried out on kaolin specimens (diameter 100 mm, height 200 mm) in a triaxial cell. In the first series, specimens were reinforced with a 32 mm diameter column of sand, 80, 120, 160, or 200 mm long. Columns were installed by (i) compacting moist sand into a prebored hole or (ii) freezing a column of moist sand before inserting it into a prebored hole. In the second series, columns were reinforced with geo-grids before installation. The specimens were subjected to (i) uniform loading in which the load was applied over the entire surface area of the specimen or (ii) foundation-type loading in which only a small area in the centre of the specimen was loaded. Under uniform loading, the specimens containing a full-depth column were significantly stronger than specimens without columns. Specimens with single, partially penetrating columns installed by wet compaction were weaker than specimens without columns. When frozen columns were installed, strengths increased progressively. Under foundation-type loading, bearing capacities increased with an increase in column length. Geo-grid reinforcement produced significant increases in load-carrying capacity.Key words: ground improvement, undrained shear strength, consolidation, stress path.

scholarly journals Interpretation of undrained shear strength observed in confined triaxial compression tests on compacted clay

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chee K. Wong ◽  
Martin Lun ◽  
Ron C.K. Wong
Keyword(s):  
Shear Strength ◽  
Unsaturated Soil ◽  
Water Pressure ◽  
Triaxial Compression ◽  
Undrained Shear Strength ◽  
Compacted Clay ◽  
Compression Tests ◽  
Basic Model ◽  
Triaxial Compression Tests ◽  
Undrained Shear

This paper presents an interpretation technique to quantify the effects of compaction state and matric suction on the undrained shear strength of compacted clay under confined undrained triaxial compression. This novel technique is based on the mathematical frameworks of SHANSEP (Stress History and Normalized Soil Engineering Property) method for saturated soil and BBM (Barcelona Basic model) for unsaturated soil. Test data of compacted Calgary till were analyzed and interpreted using the proposed technique. The interpretation technique is very useful in delineating the relative impacts of the factors on the behavioral trends in measured undrained shear strength. It was found that in addition to the initial compacted void ratio and suction, soil structure and failure mode exert significant influence on the undrained shear strength of compacted clay. This technique is attractive to engineering practitioners because the confined undrained compression tests (with no pore air and water pressure measurement) are much simpler and less time consuming compared to rigorous laboratory tests on unsaturated soil.

scholarly journals UNDRAINED SHEAR STRENGTH PARAMETERS OF SAPROCK FROM A WEATHERING PROFILE OVER PORPHYRITIC BIOTITE GRANITE AT KM 31 OF THE KUALA LUMPUR - KARAK HIGHWAY, PENINSULAR MALAYSIA

2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
John Kuna Raj
Keyword(s):  
Shear Strength ◽  
Friction Angle ◽  
Undrained Shear Strength ◽  
Triaxial Tests ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
Shear Strength Parameters ◽  
Weathering Profile ◽  
Strength Parameters ◽  
Zone Ii ◽  
Undrained Shear

Three broad zones can be differentiated at the weathering profile; an upper, 9.4 m thick, pedological soil (zone I), an intermediate, 31.7 m thick, saprock (zone II) and the bottom bedrock (zone III). The saprock (zone II) comprises gravelly silty sands that distinctly preserve the minerals, textures and structures of the original granite and can be separated into sub-zones II A, II B, II C, and II D, based on differences in preservation of relict structures and content of litho-relicts (core-boulders). To characterize the undrained strength of saprock, samples were collected from sub-zones II A, II B, II C and II D and their physical and soil index properties determined before unconsolidated undrained triaxial tests were carried out on remolded samples. Three to four individual samples from each sub-zone were compressed under confining pressures of 138 kPa, 207 kPa, 276 kPa and/or 345 kPa. Plots of pf = [(σ1 + σ3)/2] versus qf = [(σ1 - σ3)/2] were then used to calculate apparent cohesions of 41.9 kPa, 100.3 kPa, 76.1 kPa and 73.9 kPa, and friction angles of 32.2o, 28.1o, 26.6o and 27.8o, for the samples from sub-zones II A, II B, II C, and II D, respectively. Regression analyses show apparent cohesions to decrease with increasing clay contents, and degrees of saturation; features indicating the influence of negative pore water (or suction) pressures. Regression analyses also show apparent friction angle to increase with increasing sand contents; a feature attributed to greater inter-locking and resistance to displacement of these particles. It is concluded that the undrained shear strength parameters of saprock are characterized by an average apparent cohesion of 54.6 kPa, and friction angle of 30.5o; the parameters influenced by the degree of saturation as well as clay and sand contents.

UNDRAINED SHEAR STRENGTH OF K0 CONSOLIDATED SOFT CLAYS UNDER TRIAXIAL AND PLANE STRAIN CONDITIONS

2014 ◽  
Vol 06 (03) ◽  
pp. 1450032 ◽  
Author(s):  
QIUSHENG WANG ◽  
XIULI DU ◽  
QIUMING GONG
Keyword(s):  
Shear Strength ◽  
Plane Strain ◽  
Yield Surface ◽  
Critical State ◽  
Volumetric Strain ◽  
Stress Path ◽  
Undrained Shear Strength ◽  
Triaxial Tests ◽  
Soft Clays ◽  
Undrained Shear

Theoretical formulas for predicting the undrained shear strength of K0 consolidated soft clays under the stress path related to triaxial and plane strain tests are presented within the framework of critical state soil mechanics. An inclined elliptical yield surface is adopted to take account of the initial anisotropic stress state. The undrained strength is determined by combining the undrained stress path in the volumetric stress–strain space and the initial yield surface in the deviator-mean stress space. The derived mathematical expressions are functions of the critical state frictional angle, the plastic volumetric strain ratio and the overconsolidation ratio, which can be simplified into the solutions for isotropically consolidated clays under triaxial tests or under plane strain tests. The results calculated by using the theoretical formulas obtained in this paper are in good agreement with the available collected test results. It indicates that these new formulas are applicable to triaxial and plane strain tests on normally and lightly to moderately overconsolidated soft clays.

scholarly journals Critical undrained shear strength of sand-silt mixtures under monotonic loading

2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 149-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed Bensoula ◽  
Hanifi Missoum ◽  
Karim Bendani
Keyword(s):  
Shear Strength ◽  
Void Ratio ◽  
Undrained Shear Strength ◽  
Monotonic Loading ◽  
Triaxial Tests ◽  
Empirical Relationships ◽  
Fine Content ◽  
Fines Content ◽  
Chain Force ◽  
Undrained Shear

<p>This study uses experimental triaxial tests with monotonic loading to develop empirical relationships to estimate undrained critical shear strength. The effect of the fines content on undrained shear strength is analyzed for different density states. The parametric analysis indicates that, based on the soil void ratio and fine content properties, the undrained critical shear strength first increases and then decreases as the proportion of fines increases, which demonstrates the influence of fine content on a soil’s vulnerability to liquefaction. A series of monotonic undrained triaxial tests were performed on reconstituted saturated sand-silt mixtures. Beyond 30% fines content, a fraction of the silt participates in the soil’s skeleton chain force. In this context, the concept of the equivalent intergranular void ratio may be an appropriate parameter to express the critical shear strength of the studied soil. This parameter is able to control the undrained shear strength of non-plastic silt and sand mixtures with different densities.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Resumen</strong></p><p>Este estudio utiliza evaluaciones experimentales triaxiales con cargas repetitivas para desarrollar relaciones empíricas y estimar la tensión crítica de corte bajo condiciones no drenadas. El efecto de contenido de finos en la tensión de corte sin drenar se analizó en diferentes estados de densidad. El análisis paramétrico indica que, basado en la porosidad del suelo y las propiedades del material de finos, la tensión de corte sin drenar primero se incrementa y luego decrece mientras la proporción de finos aumenta, lo que demuestra la influencia de contenido de finos en la vulnerabilidad del suelo a la licuación. Una serie de las evaluaciones se realizó en  mezclas rehidratadas y saturadas de arena y cieno. Más allá del 30 % de los contenidos finos, una fracción del cieno hace parte principal de la cadena de fuerza del suelo. En este contexto, el concepto de porosidad equivalente intergranular puede ser un parámetro apropiado para expresar la tensión crítica de corte del suelo estudiado. Este parámetro nos permite controlar la tensión de corte sin drenar de cieno no plástico y mezclas de arena de densidades diferentes.</p>

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document