SEDL / STP / STP654-EB / STP35682S

Errors Associated with Rate of Undrained Cyclic Testing of Clay Soils

Sangrey, DA
Associate professor and research assistant, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y.

Pollard, WS
Associate professor and research assistant, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y.

Egan, JA
Engineer, Woodward-Clyde Consultants, Houston, Tex.

Pages: 15    Published: Jan 1978

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Abstract

A wide range of cyclic testing rates can be applied to specimens of clay soil depending on the particular test objective. A group of factors which influence the results of these tests is identified and the significance of these factors on test results is demonstrated. Undrained creep effects and air diffusion through membranes surrounding the test specimen are major factors, and methods are described to correct or control these errors. Nonuniform conditions within the test specimen are also significant in some tests. Illustrations of the potential errors and corrections are presented.

There is no cyclic loading rate which has a clear advantage over other rates, although for particular purposes there is a clear preference.