ISSN: 0149-6115
Page Count: 9

Investigation of Vibration-Induced Settlement Using Multifactorial Experimental Design

Kim, D-S
Professor of civil engineering,Korean Advanced Institute of Science and Technology,

Drabkin, S
Research engineer,Polytechnic University,NY,

Abstract

A prediction model of vibration-induced settlement on granular soils was developed using multifactorial experimental design (MED). Major factors affecting vibration-induced settlement such as vibration amplitude, deviatoric stress, confining pressure, soil gradation, duration of vibration, moisture content, and relative density were considered in this study.

To accommodate all these factors, a special vibratory frame was designed to shake a soil specimen within a triaxial cell. MED allowed the authors to investigate the effect of many factors affecting vibration-induced settlement using a relatively small number of experiments. Detailed procedures for applying MED are discussed.

Low to medium vibration amplitudes with peak particle velocities ranging from 2.5 to 18 mm/s were evaluated for the settlement potential assessment. The most significant factors affecting vibration-induced settlement were vibration amplitude, confining pressure, and deviatoric stress. At a given vibration amplitude, the settlement was substantially reduced with increasing confining pressure. Vibration-induced settlement was affected by the stress anisotropy, and maximum settlement occurred at a given confining pressure in the range of earth pressure coefficients between 0.45 and 0.6.

Keywords:
vibration, settlement, experimental design, granular soil, response surface

Paper ID: GTJ11021J
DOI: 10.1520/GTJ11021J
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