ISSN: 0149-6115
Page Count: 10

Resonant Column Tests on Partially Saturated Sands

Qian, X
Geotechnical engineer,C. W. Associates, Inc.,HI,

Gray, DH
Professor,The University of Michigan,MI,

Woods, RD
Professor,The University of Michigan,MI,

Abstract

This paper describes the measurement of the influence of capillary effects on the dynamic shear modulus of partially saturated sands. A Hall-type resonant column apparatus was used to perform the experiments. The materials tested included natural angular and subrounded sands, angular and subrounded sands with specified artificial gradations, and uniform angular and subrounded sands with various minus No. 400 sieve size fractions.

Capillary stresses can significantly increase the shear modulus of unsaturated sands. Void ratio, confining pressure, degree of saturation, grain shape, and grain-size distribution are the primary factors affecting the shear modulus of partially saturated sands.

Keywords:
capillary phenomena, resonant column tests, cohesionless soils, density, grain size, laboratory testing, sands, shear modulus, shear wave propagation, partially saturated sand

Paper ID: GTJ10571J
DOI: 10.1520/GTJ10571J
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