Analysis of cementation effects on Small-strain Shear Modulus of Sand

모래의 미소변형 전단탄성계수에 대한 고결영향 분석

The small-strain shear modulus ($G_{max}$) of uncemented sand is affected by the the mean principal stress and void ratio, and it has been known that the cementation and aging also affect to $G_{max}$ of sand. For extensive understanding about the effect of cementation on the $G_{max}$ of sand, a series of bender element tests was conducted on the cemented specimens prepared in a large calibration chamber by pluviation of the sand-gypsum mixture. It was observed from the experimental results that the $G_{max}$ of cemented sand is higher above 10 times than value of uncemented one, and it increases exponentially with the gypsum content increases. Whereas, the increase of the vertical stress from 50kPa to 200kPa and the relative density from 40% to 80% result in 20~30% and 2 times increase of $G_{max}$, respectively. It means that the gypsum content, that is cementation level, is the most influential factor on the $G_{max}$ of cemented sand. In addition, the effect of relative density on $G_{max}$ was more apparent on cemented sand than uncemented one.