• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
• /
• v.36 no.9
• /
• pp.21-32
• /
• 2020

In this study, series of cyclic triaxial tests and shear velocity measurement were conducted using Pohang sand, which was taken from liquefaction observed area, to verify the liquefaction characteristics of Pohang. The cyclic resistance ratio(CRR) was derived based on the test results. A specimen was reconstituted into 40% and 80% relative density conditions and then a series of cyclic triaxial tests and shear-wave velocity measurement were conducted. As a result, the effect of particle distribution and relative density to liquefaction resistance was verified. The liquefaction resistance of Pohang sand was evaluated by comparing with other liquefaction resistance of sands from previous research. In addition, the liquefaction resistance curve from field observation data was used to verify the reliability of results from this study by measured shear-wave velocity.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
• /
• v.31 no.5
• /
• pp.461-476
• /
• 2022

Research studies on the scale effect on triaxial strength of intact rocks are scarce, being more common those in uniaxial strength. In this paper, the authors present and briefly interpret the peak and residual strength trends on a series of triaxial tests on different size specimens (30 mm to 84 mm diameter) of an intact granitic rock at confinements ranging from 0 to 15 MPa. Peak strength tends to grow from smaller to standard-size samples (54 mm) and then diminishes for larger values at low confinement. However, a slight change in strength is observed at higher confinements. Residual strength is observed to be much less size-dependent. Additionally, this study introduces preliminary modelling approaches of these laboratory observations with the help of three-dimensional particle flow code (PFC3D) simulations based on bonded particle models (BPM). Based on previous studies, two modelling approaches have been followed. In the first one, the maximum and minimum particle diameter (D_max and D_min) are kept constant irrespective of the sample size, whereas in the second one, the resolution (number of particles within the sample or ϕ_v) was kept constant. Neither of these approaches properly represent the observations in actual laboratory tests, even if both of them show some interesting capabilities reported in this document. Eventually, some suggestions are provided to proceed towards improving modelling approaches to represent observed scale effects.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
• /
• v.33 no.2
• /
• pp.83-94
• /
• 2023

Unlike the conventional triaxial test cells for cylindrical specimens, which impose uniform lateral confining pressures, the GREAT (Geo-Reservoir Experimental Analogue Technology) cell can exert differential radial stresses using eight independently-controlled pairs of lateral loading elements and thereby generate horizontal stress fields with various magnitudes and orientations. In the preceding companion paper, GREAT cell tests were numerically simulated under different mechanical loading conditions and the validity of the numerical model was investigated by comparing experimental and numerical results for circumferential strain. In the present study, we simulated GREAT cell tests for an artificial sample containing a fracture under both mechanical loading and fluid flow conditions. The numerical simulation was carried out by varying the mechanical properties of the fracture surface, which were unknown. The numerical responses (circumferential strains) of the sample were compared with experimental data and a good match was found between the numerical and experimental results under certain mechanical conditions of the fracture surface. Additionally, the effect of fluid flow conditions on the mechanical behavior of the sample was investigated and discussed.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.25-35
• /
• 2008

It has been recognized that the behaviour of unsaturated soil plays an important role in geomechanics. However, up to now, only a few experimental data are available for the technical difficulties related to both volume changes and suction measurements. In this study, the volume changes of unsaturated compacted silty soil were monitored with proximeter during various triaxial compression tests, which gave a realistic estimation in the volume changes of unsaturated soil sample. From the test results, the behaviours of wetting-induced collapses are observed during the drainage/water absorption tests. Under exhausted-drained conditions during shearing, the shear strength increases with an increasing initial suction. On the other hand, the volume changes become small with an increase in the initial suction. And, the volumetric strain during shearing is independent of the confining pressure.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
• /
• v.26 no.4
• /
• pp.447-460
• /
• 2016

Samples of Hangdeung granite and Berea sandstone containing sliding planes were prepared by saw-cutting and polishing using #100 or #600 grinding powders. Their basic friction angles were then measured directly in direct shear tests and triaxial compression tests, and also in tilt tests, which measure the angles indirectly. Although the angles measured by the direct methods were generally accurate, those measured along certain planes were greatly different from the others depending on the condition of the plane. The tilt tests yielded similar angles regardless of the sliding plane condition or the rock type; however, the error range was relatively wide. Sliding planes polished by the grinding powders yielded more accurate results than those cut by the saw and tested without polishing, as polishing ensured consistent conditions among all the planes. Sliding planes polished using #100 grinding powder yielded better results than polishing with #600 grinding powder. Therefore, the basic friction angles measured along the sliding planes polished using #100 grinding powder, as obtained in direct shear and triaxial compression tests, were the most reliable. The angle could also be measured satisfactorily by tilt testing along sliding planes polished with #100 grinding powder.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
• /
• v.10 no.3
• /
• pp.217-223
• /
• 2000

Microcracks that consist of quarry planes of granite are an essential factor affecting the long-term behavior of granite. In this paper, fine-grained granite distributed in the Tsukuba area of Japan was selected and microcracks were measured by using scanline method. In addition, a new relaxation testing equipment was developed to carry out stress relaxation test under water-saturated triaxial condition. Based on the relaxation test results with the initial stress level of 75%, the axial stress is decreased by 39%-49% just after the start of the tests, and the totally relaxed stress is 10∼24 MPa in 190 ERT (Elapsed relaxation time, hour). In addition, the relaxed stress is increased with the density of cracks which are parallel to axial load direction.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.1-15
• /
• 2015

This paper presents a series of conventional undrained triaxial compression tests conducted to determine the effect of both tire crumbs and cement addition on Narli sand specimens. The tire crumb contents and cement contents were 3%, 7%, 15%; and 1%, 3%, 5% by dry weight of the sand specimens respectively. Specimens were prepared at about 35% relative density, cured during overnight (about 17 hours) for artificially bonding under a 100 kPa effective stress (confining pressure of 500 kPa with a back pressure of 400 kPa), and then sheared. Deviatoric stress-axial strain, pore water pressure-axial strain behavior, and Young's modulus of the specimens at various mixture ratios of tire crumb/cement/sand were measured. Test results indicated that the addition of tire crumb to sand decreases Young's modulus, deviatoric stress and brittleness, and increase pore water pressure generation. The addition of cement to sand with tire crumbs increases deviatoric stress, Young's modulus, and changes its ductile behavior to a more brittle one. The results suggest that specimen formation in the way used here could reduce the tire disposal problem in not only economically, and environmentally, but also more effectively beneficial way for some geotechnical applications.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
• /
• 2006.03a
• /
• pp.1224-1227
• /
• 2006

It has been recognized unsaturated soil behaviour playing an important role in geomechanics. Up to now, only a few experimental data are available for the technical difficulties related to both volume changes and suction measurements. In this study, the volume changes of unsaturated compacted silty soil were monitored with proximeter (i.e. non-contactable transducer) during various triaxial compression tests, which gave a realistic estimation in the volume changes of unsaturated soil sample. The measurement of volume changes were performed with 0.5% of the maximum error under the axial strain ratio of less than 10%. The experimental results have revealed that the mechanical behaviour of unsaturated soil can be significantly affected by the matric suction. During the shearing processes, the level of maximum deviator stress under the initial suction pressure of 50kPa was higher than that under the initial suction pressure of 10kPa. On the other hand, the volume changes became smaller under the increase in the initial suction pressure.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
• /
• 2005.03a
• /
• pp.1039-1046
• /
• 2005

After clay particles have been sediment isotropically, the clay deposits have been consolidated under $K_0$-stress system. Therefore, in order to predict the behavior in-situ of normally consolidated clays, the laboratory test should be enforced under $K_0$-stress system and should obtain the characteristics of normally consolidated clays. And relationship of stress-strain on clay is effected on not only method of consolidation but also characteristic of visco-plastic behavior. Saturated clay is effected more this trend. So, rate of strain is considered to understand exact stress-strain relationship. In this study, the series of undrained triaxial compression tests were preformed on remolded specimens which was made by slurry of clay, consolidated under $K_0$-stress systems. And the undrained triaxial compression test were preformed to examine behavior of stress-strain relationship due to rate of shear strain relationship due to rate of shear strain.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
• /
• v.13 no.6
• /
• pp.1027-1044
• /
• 2017

Membrane penetration is the most important factor influencing the measurement of volume change for triaxial consolidated-drained shear test for coarse-grained soil. The effective pressure p, average particle size $d_{50}$, thickness $t_m$ and elastic modulus $E_m$ of membrane, contact area between membrane and soil $A_m$ as well as the initial void ratio e are the major factors influencing membrane penetration. According to the membrane deformation model given by Kramer and Sivaneswaran, an analytical solution of the membrane penetration considering the initial void ratio is deduced using the energy conservation law. The basic equations from theory of plates and shells and the elastic mechanics are employed during the derivation. To verify the presented solution, isotropic consolidation tests of a coarse-grained soil are performed by using the method of embedding different diameter of iron rods in the triaxial samples, and volume changes due to membrane penetration are obtained. The predictions from presented solution and previous analytical solutions are compared with the test results. It is found that the prediction from presented analytical solution agrees well with the test results.