Journal Published Online: 05 May 2017
Volume 40, Issue 4

Study of the Elastic Shear Modulus of Bío Bío Sand Using Bender Elements in an Oedometer

CODEN: GTJODJ

Abstract

The objective of the paper is to study the shear stiffness of Bío Bío sand. To this end, a system to measure the travel time of shear waves in Bío Bío sand samples using bender elements was designed and setup in an adapted oedometer device. Measurements were carried out for sand samples with different relative density, pressure/deformation, diameter/height, dry/saturated and varying the frequency, amplitude, and type of the triggered electric signals. The shear wave velocity and elastic shear modulus increased with relative density and effective vertical stress as previously found by other authors. In addition, Hardin type empirical formulas for estimating the elastic shear modulus are used to compare with the experimental results. Estimations proved to be good only in loading for effective vertical stresses around 100 kPa, since underestimation and overestimation of the shear modulus occurred for stresses below and above that value, respectively. Soil shear stiffness during unloading/reloading cycles was underestimated with the expressions used for loading.

Author Information

Ayala, Juan
IDIEM, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, CL
Villalobos, Felipe
Laboratory of Geomaterials, Catholic University of Concepción, Concepción, CL
Alvarado, Giovanny
AECOM, Sydney, AU
Pages: 10
Price: $25.00
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Details
Stock #: GTJ20150116
ISSN: 0149-6115
DOI: 10.1520/GTJ20150116