Aging Effects on Small Strain Shear Moduli and Liquefaction Properties of in-situ Frozen and Reconstituted Sandy Soils

In order to investigate the effects of different geological ages on liquefaction properties of sandy deposits, a series of undrained cyclic triaxial tests was performed on three kinds of in-situ frozen and their reconstituted samples which were retrieved from Holocene (Tone-river sand) and Pleistocene (Edo-river B and C sands) deposits. The specimens were subjected to isotropic consolidation at a specified confining stress which is equivalent to the in-situ overburden stress at the depth of sampling, and small strain shear moduli were measured before and during the undrained cyclic loading tests. The liquefaction properties and the small strain shear moduli were affected by not only the natural aging effect of the specimen but also the inter-locking effect that was enhanced by applying drained cyclic loading before the undrained cyclic loading tests. During liquefaction, different tendencies of degradation in the small strain shear moduli which would reflect the aging effects of the specimen were observed between Tone-river Holocene sand and Edo-river B and C Pleistocene sands. The applicability of reconstituted samples as substitutes for in-situ frozen samples was confirmed with Tone-river Holocene sand that has no cementation effect between soil particles, whereas it seems difficult to simulate fully the liquefaction behaviour of Edo-river B and C Pleistocene sands which have higher cementation effect.     

Comparison of Liquefaction-Induced Ground Deformation Between Results from Undrained Cyclic Torsional Shear Tests and Observations From Previous Model Tests and Case Studies

In order to investigate liquefaction-induced ground displacement, we conducted a series of undrained cyclic torsional shear tests on saturated Toyoura sand using a modified torsional apparatus capable of applying and measuring double amplitude shear strain up to about 100%. The limiting value of double amplitude shear strain, at which strain localization appears during undrained cyclic loading tests, was evaluated from the test results with reference to the change in the deviator stress during liquefaction. The limiting strain values, which increase with a decrease in the relative density of the specimen, were found to be consistent with the maximum amounts of liquefaction-induced ground displacement observed in the previous shaking table model tests and most of the relevant case studies. This feature is reasonable considering the reduction in the mobilized cyclic shear stress in liquefied soil due to the degradation of the shear resistance. As long as the liquefied soil layer remains in uniform deformation, these limiting strain values may be used in estimating the maximum amount of liquefaction-induced ground displacement.     

Strain localization characteristics of loose saturated Toyoura sand in undrained cyclic torsional shear tests with initial static shear

Strain localization, or the formation of shear bands, is a key aspect in understanding soil failure mechanisms. While efforts have been made in terms of measuring the shear band properties and the stress–strain behavior within shear bands, there are still uncertainties regarding when shear bands initiate and their influence on the development of large ground deformation. In this paper, the limiting value of shear strain, at which strain localization appears during undrained cyclic torsional shear tests with initial static shear, performed on loose Toyoura sand specimens (Dr=44–48%) up to a single amplitude of shear strain exceeding 50%, was evaluated. Non-uniform specimen deformation was observed at strain levels larger than 20%. However, the onset of strain localization could not be defined on the basis of visual observations. Therefore, the limiting values for half of the double amplitude (γ_DA/2) and single amplitude (γ_SA) shear strain, to initiate strain localization, were determined from test results based on changes in the deviator stress response and strain accumulation properties as well as changes in the strain-softening behavior during cyclic shear. It was found that γ_SA is a more appropriate parameter than γ_DA/2. Irrespective of the static shear stress level, the limiting strain value for γ_SA was evaluated to be in the range of 23–28% for liquefied loose Toyoura sand specimens (i.e., stress reversal and intermediate tests). Alternatively, the limiting strain value could not be properly defined when liquefaction did not occur (i.e., non-reversal stress tests), although various methods were employed.     

Effects of small and large shear histories on multiple liquefaction properties of sand with initial static shear

It has been reported that soils belonging to slope grounds show different types of liquefaction behavior than those belonging to horizontal grounds. Some research has also revealed that liquefaction histories can significantly affect the shear behavior of sandy soils. However, the combined effects of the slope angle and the magnitude of past shear histories on the liquefaction properties of soils have not been studied comprehensively. Based on this background, several multiple liquefaction tests with initial static shear were conducted on Toyoura sand. In each of these tests, a single specimen was sheared several times up to small or large double amplitude shear strain under a constant volume condition using a specially designed stacked-ring shear apparatus. The behavior of the Toyoura sand observed in these tests was discussed considering various perspectives, such as the increase in relative density, the induced anisotropy, the change in liquefaction resistance, and the shear strain accumulation. The findings of this study established that shear histories of smaller magnitude had relatively less influence on densification and induced anisotropy than those of larger magnitude. Moreover, shear histories of smaller magnitude also resulted in the relatively higher liquefaction resistance of sand specimens against the next cyclic shear, while the opposite trend was observed in the case of specimens subjected to shear histories of larger magnitude. Finally, shear strain accumulated less easily in tests with small shear histories than in those with large shear histories.     

Accumulated Deformation of Sand with Initial Shear Stress and Effective Stress State Lying Near Failure Conditions

This study concerns the development of residual deformations in soil subjected to static shear and cyclic stress components. This problem plays an important role in such situation as natural slopes, slopes of embankments and dams, quay walls. Among them, the present study focuses in particular on cyclic undrained behavior with static shear stress. Furthermore, in the case of structures with static shear stress and subjected to the earthquake shaking, the forces acting in the shear plane are generally one-way cyclic loading without reversing its direction. Experimental research was focused on the accumulation of shear strain in the soil element during one-way cyclic loading (torsional stress loading only on positive or negative side). Series of torsional shear tests on hollow cylindrical specimens of Toyoura sand with relative density of 40% and 60%, with isotropic stress condition under effective pressure of 98 kPa, 196 kPa and 294 kPa as well as anisotropic conditions were made in order to investigate the incremental shear strain per cycle during cyclic loading. The level of static shear stress was set equal to half of the ultimate stress under drained conditions (factor of safety equal to two). The experimental results showed that the presence of static shear stress increases the resistance of sandy soil. The experimental results of the shear strain increment per cycle and the number of cycles were plotted in a logarithmic scale to show a linear relationship with each other. Based on these findings a simple model for prediction of shear strain was developed.     

Influence of strain histories on liquefaction resistance of sand

The liquefaction resistance of sand increases with cyclic pre-shearing and pre-shaking as a result of earthquakes if the strain level in the pre-shearing is small. When larger shear strains are imposed, liquefaction resistance decreases. These complicated effects of pre-shearing histories on the liquefaction resistance are investigated in this study through a series of cyclic triaxial tests. Various combinations of cyclic stress amplitude and number of cycles of pre-shearing are examined. The tested sand is Toyoura Sand at 45% relative density, under a confining pressure of 50 kPa. Test results indicate that for the range of shear strain amplitude in pre-shearing smaller than 0.35%, the liquefaction resistance increases with pre-shearing. The increase in the liquefaction resistance depends strongly on the volumetric strain in the pre-shearing, and several effects of the shear stress amplitude and number of cycles can be negligible. Small volumetric strain of the order of 1% doubled the liquefaction resistance. Meanwhile, in the range of shear strain amplitude larger than 0.6%, the liquefaction resistance decreases. The liquefaction resistance decreases as the shear strain amplitude increases. Shear strain amplitude is one of the factors dominating this degrading effect, and the volumetric strain exerts beneficial effects to a certain extent. In this study, another series of tests are conducted to investigate the combined effects of small and large strain amplitude pre-shearing. It is observed that small shear strain pre-shearing cycles subsequent to large shear strain cycles erased the degrading effect of the latter. However, a large shear strain pre-shearing after small strain cycles degrades the beneficial effect of the small shear strain pre-shearing cycles previously applied to the specimens; however, the effects of the former small strain pre-shearing remains.     

Effects of initial static shear on liquefaction and large deformation properties of loose saturated Toyoura sand in undrained cyclic torsional shear tests

This study focused on the role which static shear plays on the large deformation behavior of loose saturated sand during undrained cyclic loading. A series of undrained cyclic torsional shear tests was performed on saturated Toyoura sand specimens up to single amplitude shear strain exceeding 50%. Three types of cyclic loading patterns, i.e., stress reversal, intermediate and non-reversal, were employed by varying the initial static shear level and the cyclic shear stress amplitude. The observed types of failure could be distinguished into liquefaction (cyclic and rapid flow) and residual deformation by comparing both monotonic and cyclic undrained behavior. It was found that the presence of initial static shear does not always lead to an increase in the resistance to liquefaction or strain accumulation; they could either increase or decrease with an increasing initial static shear level depending on the type of loading pattern and failure behavior. In addition, according to the failure behavior which the specimens exhibited, three modes of development of large residual deformation were observed.     

Effects of Sample Disturbance on Small Strain Characteristics and Liquefaction Properties of Holocene and Pleistocene Sandy Soils

To investigate liquefaction properties of sandy soils, undrained cyclic loading tests are usually performed. However, it would be difficult to simulate fully the actual soil behaviour through the laboratory tests because the tested sample can be disturbed even though it is taken by in-situ freezing technique. In this study, by using three kinds of in-situ frozen sandy soils which were taken from Holocene and Pleistocene deposits and their reconstituted samples, their volume change properties were measured during freeze and thaw processes at different confining pressures of 30 kPa and 98 kPa. In order to investigate the effects of the possible sample disturbance on the liquefaction resistance, small strain characteristics were measured as well, which would reflect the soil structure. Decreases in the small strain characteristics and the liquefaction resistance were observed in case of the Holocene specimens that were thawed at the confining pressure that was lower than the in-situ overburden stress. On the other hand, in case of the Pleistocene specimens, the effects of the confining pressure during the thaw process on the small strain characteristics and the liquefaction resistance were small. Such contrastive feature between the Holocene and the Pleistocene samples could be linked with the difference in the types of their natural aging effects.     

Effective Stress Change and Post-Earthquake Settlement Properties of Granular Materials Subjected to Multi-Directional Cyclic Simple Shear

In order to investigate the effect of cyclic shear direction on the properties of saturated granular materials, such as effective vertical stress reduction and post-earthquake settlement, several series of multi-directional cyclic simple shear tests under constant volume conditions are performed on Toyoura sand and granulated blast furnace slag (GBFS), as an alternative material. The GBFS has particular properties such as light weight, high shear strength and high permeability, and it is considered to be one of the most promising materials in geotechnical engineering. From the test results, it is clarified that the shear strain amplitude has a significant effect on the changes in the effective stress of granular materials. However, at higher levels of shear strain amplitude, the cyclic shear direction has little influence on the effective stress reduction. It is found that the vertical strain, after the cyclic shearing of the GBFS samples, was lower than that of the Toyoura sand under the same test conditions. Finally, to evaluate the changes in effective stress under uni-directional and multi-directional cyclic simple shear conditions, an estimation method is represented by a function of cumulative shear strain G* and resultant shear strain Γ. The validity of this proposed model is confirmed by comparing the experimental and the calculated data obtained under multi-directional cyclic simple shear conditions.     

Stress–dilatancy relationships of sand in the simulation of volumetric behavior during cyclic torsional shear loadings

In order to describe the volumetric behavior of soil subjected to shearing, a relationship that deals with the ratio of plastic strain increments to stress ratio (i.e. a stress–dilatancy relationship) is required in addition to the stress–shear strain relationship. In view of the above, stress–dilatancy relationships during cyclic torsional shear loadings were experimentally investigated in the current study. Based on the experimental results, a bilinear non-unique stress–dilatancy model was proposed for stress controlled drained cyclic torsional shear loading. The stress–dilatancy relationships during virgin loading and subsequent cyclic loading were modeled separately by considering the effects of stress history (over-consolidation or normal consolidation). Then the volume change of Toyoura sand specimens subjected to cyclic torsional shear loading was simulated by combining the simulation of stress–shear strain relationship with the proposed stress–dilatancy relationships. It was observed from the comparison of the experiment results with the simulation of volumetric strain that, after combining with accurate modeling of stress–shear strain relationship, the proposed stress–dilatancy relationship can reasonably simulate the volumetric behavior of sand subjected to various drained cyclic torsional shear loadings.     

循环振动对饱和粉土初始动剪模量的影响

初始动剪模量是土体多种结构性因素的综合反映,除固结压力和孔隙比(密度)这两个主要因素外,还受循环振动影响。以往对该因素的研究偏重于干砂,且预振时施加的剪应变幅多低于10-3;对于饱和土体,尤其是对经受过较大振幅振动后土体初始动剪模量的研究十分有限。本文利用安装弯曲元的动三轴仪,在等向固结条件下对不同相对密度的饱和粉土进行不排水循环三轴试验,同时监测试样的剪切波速,获得循环动力加载过程中土的初始动剪模量。为保证试验结果的可靠性,同时进行了共振柱试验,比较确定弯曲元接收信号的到达点;评估了不同孔压发展程度下试验暂停时间对测试结果的影响。结果表明:在一定次数大振幅循环荷载作用下观察到初始动剪模量有别于相同应力下固结后得到的模量值,出现附加衰减或增长,正是循环荷载作用下土微观结构变化的外部宏观表现。这种附加变化由土颗粒接触行为决定,受到试样初始条件和振动幅值等多种因素的影响,表现出不同的变化模式。     

Cyclic properties of dense to very dense silica sand

This paper presents results of a series of cyclic laboratory test performed on dense to very dense silica sand. Triaxial and direct simple shear tests were performed on reconstituted sand. The test program aimed to determine the cyclic shear strength and soil deformation properties for foundation design of offshore wind turbine structures on the Dogger Bank site, offshore United Kingdom, but is also applicable for foundation design of other offshore structures and other locations. Two sand batches were used, one with clean silica sand and one with 20% silt content. Normally consolidated specimens from both batches were reconstituted to a target relative density approximately equal to 100% and 80%. On the clean sand with a target relative density of 80%, tests were also performed on specimens with an overconsolidation ratio of OCR = 4. Various contour diagrams, presenting cyclic shear strength and average and cyclic shear strains for different number of cycles, are presented. These diagrams can be used in the front-end engineering design (FEED) stage of commercial design projects on similar soil conditions, to define soil behavior when limited cyclic data is available, or in the planning stage of a cyclic laboratory test program. Effects of precycling and fines content on the cyclic behavior of triaxial and DSS specimens are discussed.     

A Study on the Engineering Properties of Sand Improved by the Sand Compaction Pile Method

In order to directly evaluate the effects of soil improvement by the Sand Compaction Pile (SCP) method on the density, deformation, and static and liquefaction strength characteristics of sandy soils, a series of field and laboratory tests were performed. Laboratory tests were performed on high-quality undisturbed samples obtained from sandy soils both before and after soil improvement by the SCP method. The high-quality undisturbed samples were recovered by the in-situ freezing sampling method. The drained shear strength (internal friction angle, φ_d), liquefaction strength (R₁₅: cyclic stress ratio needed to cause 5% double amplitude axial strain in 15 cycles), and cyclic deformation characteristics (G~γ and h~γ relations) were determined by performing a series of laboratory tests on the undisturbed samples. Both the in-situ density and the relative density were measured on the undisturbed samples used in the laboratory tests. A standard penetration test (SPT) and a suspension-type P-S wave logging test were performed to investigate the soil profile of the test site before and after the sand compaction. Both the static and the liquefaction strengths of the sandy soils obtained in the laboratory tests were also compared with those estimated by empirical correlations used in practice based on the SPT N-value and soil gradations.     

Triaxial apparatus equipped with elastic waves and matric suction measurement techniques

A recently developed technique for elastic wave measurement, a disk transducer method, and a pressure membrane technique for suction measurement were merged into a modified triaxial testing apparatus enabling the procurement of both the elastic waves and the matric suction of a cylindrical specimen. The apparatus was employed to evaluate the variation in suction in sandy soil possessing a low range of suction (less than 100?kPa). Fine sand with two types of fines, namely, non-plastic silt and kaolin clay, was mixed with Toyoura sand in order to prepare sandy soil specimens. Both compressional and shear wave velocities were evaluated in conjunction with the associated matric suction. The matric suction was varied by injecting water into the specimens, and the relevant elastic wave velocities were obtained by a disk transducer. This research has corroborated the applicability of the disk transducer method to unsaturated soil specimens as well as the effects of matric suction on the mechanical behaviour of sandy soils possessing a low range of suction.     

Effects of specimen density and initial cyclic loading history on correlation between shear wave velocity and liquefaction resistance of Toyoura sand

Some previous studies have shown a good correlation between the shear wave velocity, V_s, and the cyclic resistance ratio, CRR. Recently, however, a V_s-based liquefaction assessment method has become an alternative and supplementary method to the conventional N_SPT-based method. It is known that the CRR is influenced not only by the specimen density, but also by the soil fabric. Unfortunately, there are concerns that different combinations of the effects of the specimen density and the soil fabric may generate different relations between V_s and the CRR even if the tested specimens are of the same soil material. In the current study, a series of V_s measurements and undrained cyclic triaxial tests is performed on Toyoura sand specimens with different soil fabrics for three different specimen densities. The fabric of the specimens is varied by applying initial cyclic loading. The results of the V_s measurements indicate that the V_s of the specimen is affected by the initial cyclic loading histories, and the results of the undrained cyclic triaxial tests show that there is a good correlation between V_s and the CRR. However, the correlation varies depending on the specimen density even when the tested material is Toyoura sand only. In other words, the soil-type specific correlation between V_s and the CRR depends on the specimen density. Therefore, the results indicate that both V_s and the specimen density are necessary parameters for an accurate assessment of the CRR.     

Flow deformation characteristics of sandy soils under constant shear stress with water inflow

Previous researcher explained that the catastrophic long-distance flow-slide in Palu city, in which the surface ground laterally deformed up to several kilometers after the earthquake in the gently ground inclination (1–5%), might be promoted by the inflow of confined aquifer or fault water. This paper aims to investigate the flow behavior characteristics of Toyoura sand and in-situ sand by employing water inflow shear tests with a constant shear stress in the triaxial apparatus and the modified torsional shear apparatus. Through this experiment, rapid-flow behavior can be observed on both materials, even at a low initial static shear stress. This behavior depends on the volumetric strain development characteristics, which are also correlated with the material's initial densities. The dense specimen showed this rapid flow state at a higher volumetric strain level than the loose specimen. Besides, the flow rate during the rapid flow state was also measured. This rate is affected by the material's initial densities as well as the initial static shear stress.     

中主应力系数对应力主轴循环旋转条件下砂土变形特性的影响

采用香港科技大学的空心圆柱扭剪仪对日本标准丰浦砂进行了四个系列、每个系列包含中主应力系数b=0.1,0.5和1.0三种不同情况的纯应力主轴循环旋转排水试验,即试验过程中控制作用在砂样上的有效主应力的幅值不变,仅应力主轴在0°～180°循环旋转。试验发现中主应力系数b对应力主轴循环旋转条件下砂土的变形特性有显著影响,着重分析了这一参数对纯应力主轴循环旋转条件下砂土的应变分量和体应变的发展、剪应力剪应变关系曲线及流动规律等变形特性的影响。     

Experimental study on sand anisotropy using hollow cylinder apparatus

This study investigated sand anisotropy experimentally using a hollow cylinder apparatus. The effect of the initial anisotropy on the shear behavior of sand was illustrated by conducting experiments on specimens with bedding planes and systematically varying the density, principal stress direction, and intermediate principal stress. The change in induced anisotropy during shearing was experimentally captured by re-shearing the specimens subjected to prior shear history. The experimental results revealed the following: (a) Anisotropy in sand, whether initial anisotropy developing during specimen preparation or induced anisotropy developing due to shear history, causes pseudo-density changes in the mechanical behavior, in which sand of the same density behaves as if it has a different density depending on the direction of shear. (b) The changes in induced anisotropy, due to shearing in the same direction as that of the prior shear, make the soil behave similarly to dense sand, whereas shearing in a direction perpendicular to the prior shear makes the soil behave similarly to loose sand. (c) The larger the prior shear, the more pronounced the pseudo-density changes that appear in the subsequent behavior. Moreover, the significance of induced anisotropy in liquefaction and compaction phenomena was experimentally demonstrated through single and double swing cyclic shear tests. The results obtained from the study will be useful for validating models that incorporate induced anisotropy.     

饱和软粘土的循环蠕变特性

本文介绍对上海淤泥质饱和粘土在长期循环荷载作用下的变形特性的试验研究结果。考虑到土的各向异性性质,在三轴试验中,在K0固结条件下把土试样恢复到天然的K0应力状态,然后进行排水及不排水单向循环加载蠕变试验。从试验结果可以观察到一些重要的现象:(1)当循环轴向应力小于初始固结压力的50%时,饱和粘土的循环蠕变可分成三个阶段;(2)循环应变可分成不可逆的累积应变与可逆应变两部分,可逆应变的大小与循环应力幅值近似成线性关系;(3)孔压增长较为滞后,不排水试样孔压增长稳定时其值约为应力幅值50%,而排水试样的残余孔压约为应力幅值的20%。