Effect of fines content and void ratio on the saturated hydraulic conductivity and undrained shear strength of sand–silt mixtures

The hydraulic conductivity represents an important indicator parameter in the generation and redistribution of excess pore pressure of sand–silt mixture soil deposits during earthquakes. This paper aims to determine the relationship between the undrained shear strength (liquefaction resistance) and the saturated hydraulic conductivity of the sand–silt mixtures and how much they are affected by the percentage of low plastic fines (finer than 0.074 mm) and void ratio of the soil. The results of flexible wall permeameter and undrained monotonic triaxial tests carried out on samples reconstituted from Chlef river sand with 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 % non-plastic silt at an effective confining pressure of 100 kPa and two initial relative densities (D _r = 20, 91 %) are presented and discussed. It was found that the undrained shear strength (liquefaction resistance) can be correlated to the fines content, intergranular void ratio and saturated hydraulic conductivity. The results obtained from this study reveal that the saturated hydraulic conductivity (k _sat) of the sand mixed with 50 % low plastic fines can be, in average, four orders of magnitude smaller than that of the clean sand. The results show also that the global void ratio could not be used as a pertinent parameter to explain the undrained shear strength and saturated hydraulic conductivity response of the sand–silt mixtures.     

Laboratory Investigation into the Effects of Silty Fines on Liquefaction Susceptibility of Chlef (Algeria) Sandy Soils

In a number of recent case studies, the liquefaction of silty sands has been reported. To investigate the undrained shear and deformation behaviour of Chlef sand–silt mixtures, a series of monotonic and stress-controlled cyclic triaxial tests were conducted on sand encountered at the site. The aim of this laboratory investigation is to study the influence of silt contents, expressed by means of the equivalent void ratio on undrained residual shear strength of loose, medium dense and dense sand–silt mixtures under monotonic loading and liquefaction potential under cyclic loading. After an earthquake event, the prediction of the post-liquefaction strength is becoming a challenging task in order to ensure the stability of different types of earth structures. Thus, the choice of the appropriate undrained residual shear strength of silty sandy soils that are prone to liquefaction to be used in engineering practice design should be established. To achieve this, a series of undrained triaxial tests were conducted on reconstituted saturated silty sand samples with different fines contents ranging from 0 to 40 %. In all tests, the confining pressure was held constant at 100 kPa. From the experimental results obtained, it is clear that the global void ratio cannot be used as a state parameter and may not characterize the actual behaviour of the soil as well. The equivalent void ratio expressing the fine particles participation in soil strength is then introduced. A linear relationship between the undrained shear residual shear strength and the equivalent void ratio has been obtained for the studied range of the fines contents. Cyclic test results confirm that the increase in the equivalent void ratio and the fines content accelerates the liquefaction phenomenon for the studied stress ratio and the liquefaction resistance decreases with the increase in either the equivalent void ratio or the loading amplitude level. These cyclic tests results confirm the obtained monotonic tests results.     

Experimental Study of Undrained Shear Strength of Silty Sand: Effect of Fines and Gradation

Two strong earthquakes occurred in the region of Chlef (north western part of Algeria) during the last century. From the geological context, there were several great masses of sandy soil ejections on to the ground surface level and severe damages to civil and hydraulic structures. These damages were due to the soil liquefaction phenomenon. The objective of this laboratory investigation is to study the effect of low plastic fines and gradation characteristics on the undrained shear strength (liquefaction resistance) response of sand-silt mixture samples. For this purpose, a series of undrained monotonic triaxial tests were carried out on reconstituted saturated silty sand samples with different fines content ranging from 0 to 50?% at two initial relative densities (D_r?=?20 and 91?%). The initial confining pressure was kept at 100?kPa. The evaluation of the data indicates that the undrained shear strength at the peak (q_peak) can be correlated to the undrained residual strength (S_us), the excess pore pressure (Δu), the fines content (F_c) and the intergranular void ratio (e_s). The test results indicate also that the undrained shear strength at the peak decreases with the increment of the coefficient of uniformity and fines content as well as with the decrement of the mean grain size in the range of 0–50?% fines content for both relative densities (D_r?=?20 and 91?%).     

Geotechnical reconnaissance and liquefaction analyses of a liquefaction site with silty fine sand in Southern Taiwan

Geotechnical reconnaissance of a recurrent liquefaction site at a Quaternary alluvial deposit in southern Taiwan was conducted to establish a comprehensive case history for liquefaction on silty fine sand with high fines content. The liquefaction occurred at a silty fine sand layer with D₅₀ = 0.09 mm and fines content greater than 35% and was triggered by a M_w = 6.4 earthquake on March 4, 2010, which induced maximum horizontal acceleration up to 0.189 g at the site. In situ subsurface characterizations, including standard penetration test, cone penetration test, and shear wave velocity measurement, were performed as well as cyclic simple shear tests on undisturbed specimens retrieved by a modified hydraulic piston sampler. Comparisons of cyclic resistance ratios (CRRs) indicate that CPT sounding with standard penetration rate could overestimate the resistance ratio and drainage conditions during penetration should be considered for high fines content soil in the liquefaction analysis. Additionally, variations of CRRs from different in situ tests indicate that correlations among in situ tests and CRR could be soil specific and precautions should be taken when using these curves on silty fine sands.     

Effect of grading characteristics on the undrained shear strength of sand: review with new evidences

In this paper, the shear strength of saturated pure sand and sand–silt mixture is evaluated by monotonic undrained triaxial tests that were carried out on reconstituted specimens at same relative densities and a constant confining pressure (σ ₃?=?300 kPa). The test results were used to conclude on the effect of low non-plastic contents (0–20 %) and grading characteristics on the liquefaction resistance of the sand. The test results indicate that the undrained residual strength reduced with the increase of non-plastic fine content. Also, shear strength of gap-graded sand mixed with low non-plastic fine content increases with decrease in effective size (D ₅₀). In other words, in this state, we can use the D ₅₀ as a parameter to control of silty sand’s undrained resistance. Besides, the undrained residual strength of pure sand specimens with same effective size increases due to increase of coefficient of uniformity (C _u).     

非塑性细粒对饱和砂土液化特性影响的试验研究

利用空心圆柱扭剪仪对含非塑性细粒的饱和砂土进行单调加载和循环扭剪试验,研究了不同细粒含量饱和砂土的液化特性。试验结果表明：（1）最大孔隙比与最小孔隙比均随着细粒含量的增加呈先减小后增大的趋势,分别在20%和40%时达到最小。（2）细粒含量从0%增加到20%,体积应变逐渐增加;细粒含量从20%增加到40%时,体积应变逐渐减小;之后随着细粒含量从40%增加到60%,体积应变再次增大;细粒含量超过60%以后,体积应变再次递减。（3）随着细粒含量的增加,土样的峰值强度随之降低,应力-应变关系从应变硬化特征发展为理想的弹塑性。相变角在细粒含量为30%时达到最小值。（4）细粒含量越大,达到液化所需的循环次数越小,液化时的应变越小。（5）抗液化强度曲线与抗液化应力比的变化趋势一致,在小于界限细粒含量（30%）时,随着细粒含量的增加而减小。在界限细粒含量附近（30%～50%）时,随着细粒含量的增加而增大。在细粒含量增加到60%时出现明显的骤减,之后再次随着细粒含量的增加而增大。界限细粒含量在40%左右。     

Compressional behavior of clayey sand and transition fines content

Clayey sand can be considered as a composite matrix of coarse and fine grains. The interaction between coarser and finer grain matrices affects the overall stress–strain behavior of these soils. Intergranular void ratio, e_s (which is the void ratio of the coarser grain matrix) can be utilized as an alternative parameter to express the compressive response of such soils. Oedometer tests conducted on reconstituted kaolinite–sand mixtures indicate that initial conditions, percentage of fines, and stress conditions influence the compression characteristics evidently. Tests showed that, up to a fraction of fines, which is named as transition fines content (FC_t), compression behavior of the mixtures is mainly controlled by the sand grains. When concentration of fines exceeds FC_t, kaolinite controls the compression. It was found that FC_t varies between 19% and 34% depending on the above mentioned factors. This range of fines content is also consistent with various values reported in literature regarding the strength alteration. Performed direct shear tests revealed that there is also a close relationship between transition fines content and shear strength, which is harmonic with the oedometer test results.     

南京砂强度特征与静态液化现象分析

在松散、中密和密实状态下,以南京粉细砂三轴固结不排水试验结果为基础,进行了强度、变形与静态液化特征的分析。松散南京砂强度特性表现出典型的应变软化,当轴向变形小于1 %时强度达到最大值,而后急剧降低;在50,100 kPa围压时发生了静态液化。但随着固结压力的增大,静态液化消失。与南京砂具有相同土骨架的松散纯净砂却在低围压下未出现静态液化,其形成机制是：粉粒的存在未使土体孔隙比发生较大变化,却引起更大的体缩性;中密和密实南京粉细砂表现出加工硬化的强度特征,临界应力状态线倾角高达55°,具有较高的抗静态液化能力。     

含粘粒砂土抗液化性能的试验研究

通过对含粘粒砂土所作的试验研究, 包括: 粘粒矿物成分不同、粘粒含量不同的重塑土样所作的室内动三轴试验; X光衍射试验, 试验结果对比分析后, 得出了含粘粒砂土抗液化性能的特性。并得出以下结论: (1)粘粒矿物成分不同, 也引起砂土动力稳定性的变化; (2 )动剪应力强度与粘粒含量并非呈单调增加关系, 而呈抛物线型, 并给出回归方程; (3)含粘粒的砂土, 其抗液化能力最低点总是在粘粒含量 8.5～ 9.5 %之间。     

Undrained shear strength response under monotonic loading of Chlef (Algeria) sandy soil

During the last mid-century, the Chlef area was strongly affected by two earthquakes. From the geological context, there were numerous ejections onto the ground level of great masses of sandy soils and large displacements of various forms of some building foundations. These damages are due to soil liquefaction problem. This loss of shear strength can be attributed to many factors. History of recent cases indicates that sand deposited with silt content is much more liquefiable than clean sand. Therefore, a deep understanding of silty sand behavior is needed for the liquefaction assessment of silty sandy soils. Moreover, during seismic shaking, the post-liquefaction behavior of silty sand and, consequently, the stability of structures founded on liquefied soil depend on the steady-state shear strength of soil. The objective of this laboratory investigation is to show the effect of silt contents and the relative density on the mechanical behavior of such soils in monotonic loading. In this context, a series of undrained triaxial tests were performed on reconstituted saturated silty sand samples with different fines content ranging from 0% to 40%. In all tests, the confining pressure was held constant to 100 kPa. The fines content and the global void ratio are expressed by means of the equivalent void ratio. Linear correlations relating the undrained residual shear strength of loose, medium dense, and dense (D _r?=?12%, 50%, and 90% before consolidation) sand–silt mixtures to the equivalent void ratio are obtained. The concept of the equivalent void ratio will then be used as a key parameter to express the dilatancy behavior of both clean and silty sand soils. Moreover, from the experimental results obtained, it is clear that the global void ratio cannot be used as a state parameter and may not represent the actual behavior of the soil as well.     

Reduction of Expansive Index,Swelling and Compression Behavior of Kaolinite and Bentonite Clay with Sand and Class C Fly Ash

Swelling behavior of expansive soil has always created problems in the field of geotechnical engineering. Generally, the method used to assess the swelling potential of expansive soil from its plasticity index, shrinkage limit and colloidal content. Alternative way to evaluate swelling behavior is from its expansive index (EI) and swelling pressure value. The present study investigates the reduction of EI and swelling pressure for kaolinite and bentonite clay when mixed with various percentages of Ottawa sand and Class C fly ash. The percentages of Ottawa sand and Class C fly ash used were 0–50 % by weight. The results show that there is a significant reduction in the swelling properties of expansive soil with the addition of Ottawa sand and Class C fly ash. The reduction in EI ranged approximately from 10 to 50 and 4 to 49 % for kaolinite and bentonite clay, respectively. Also the maximum swelling pressure of kaolinite and bentonite clay decreased approximately 93 and 64 %, respectively with the addition of various percentages of Ottawa sand and Class C fly ash. Standard index properties test viz., liquid limit, plastic limit and linear shrinkage test were conducted to see the characteristics of expansive soil when mixed with less expansive sand and fly ash. Also, for these expansive soils one dimensional consolidation test have been conducted with sand and fly ash mixtures and the results were compared with pure kaolinite and bentonite clay.     

四氢呋喃水合物沉积物静动力学性质试验研究

利用研制的天然气水合物沉积物合成与力学性质测试一体化试验设备,以粉细砂土和蒙古砂土作为沉积物骨架,对四氢呋喃(THF)水合物沉积物进行了静动三轴试验,获得了水合物分解前后沉积物样品的应力-应变关系、强度和液化特性,对两种骨架的水合物沉积物的性质进行了对比,同时将水合物分解后的沉积物与对应的饱和土的动三轴试验结果进行了对比。结果表明：水合物沉积物均表现为塑性破坏;围压越大,水合物沉积物强度越高;水合物分解导致沉积物的强度大幅降低;水合物分解后沉积物液化所需的时间较饱和水沉积物缩短     

尾矿料的动力特性试验研究

通过对某铜矿的尾矿料进行动三轴和共振柱试验,研究了尾矿材料动力变形特性,提出了简单实用的孔隙水压力模型,给出了能更加准确地预测尾矿材料的动孔隙水压力的公式,并将其与Seed提出的预测公式进行了比较。在不同密度尾矿料的动三轴试验基础上,分析了相对密度对液化特性的影响,得出了相对密度小于70 %时抗液化强度随相对密度的增加而明显增加的结论。在不同围压下进行动三轴试验,结果表明：在相同的液化振次条件下,围压越高,动剪应力比越低。由共振柱试验可知,尾矿料的阻尼比随着动剪应变幅的增大而增大,而动剪模量随动剪应变幅的增大而减小,动剪模量和阻尼比与动剪应变幅的关系受围压影响不太敏感。     

The liquefaction of clayey soils under cyclic loading

This paper seeks to investigate the liquefaction of clayey soils, a phenomenon that has been the trigger for many natural disasters in the last few decades, including landslides. Research was conducted on artificial clay-sand mixtures and natural clayey soils collected from the sliding surfaces of earthquake-induced landslides. The undrained response of normally consolidated clayey soils to cyclic loading was studied by means of a ring-shear apparatus. For the artificial clay-sand mixtures, it was found that the presence of a small amount of bentonite (≤ 7%) would cause rapid liquefaction, while a further increase in bentonite content (≥ 11%) produced the opposite effect of raising soil resistance to liquefaction by a significant degree. It was demonstrated that the bentonite-sand mixture was considerably more resistant to liquefaction than the kaolin-, and illite-mixtures, given the same clay content. The test results of plastic soils revealed the significant influence of plasticity on the liquefaction resistance of soil. The microfabric of clayey soil was investigated by means of a scanning electron microscope. The analysis showed that the liquefaction potential of soil was strongly related to certain particle arrangements. For example, soil vulnerable to liquefaction had an open microfabric in which clay aggregations generally gathered at the sand particle contact points, forming low-strength “clay bridges” that were destroyed easily during cyclic loading. On the other hand, the microfabric of soil that was resistant to liquefaction appeared to be more compact, with the clay producing a matrix that prevented sand grains from liquefying. In the case of the natural soils, the obtained results indicated that their cyclic behavior was similarly influenced by factors such as clay content, clay mineralogy and plasticity. The relation between the liquefaction potential of natural soil and its microfabric was thus also established. On the basis of the obtained results, the authors posited an explanation on the mechanism of liquefaction for clayey soil.     

Undrained behaviour of polypropylene fibre reinforced sandy soil under monotonic loading

Soil improvement using fibres is widely used in soil stabilisation to prevent sand liquefaction. In order to study the undrained behaviour and liquefaction resistance of sand reinforced with polypropylene fibres, a series of triaxial compressive tests were conducted on unreinforced and reinforced Chlef sand with different contents of polypropylene fibres (0, 0.3, 0.5 and 0.8%). Samples were prepared at 30% and 80% relative densities representing loose and dense states respectively, and triaxial tests were performed at confining pressures of 50, 100 and 200 kPa. Tests results show that fibre inclusion has a significant effect on the shear strength and dilation of sandy soil. The increase in strength is function of fibre content, relative density and confining pressure. The maximum strength improvement for both loose and dense fibre-reinforced sand is more pronounced at higher confining pressure and at higher fibre content.     

The Effects of Fines on the Behaviour of a Sand Mixture

Intergranular void ratio, e _s, can be used as an alternative indicator to assess the mechanical properties of composite matrix of coarse and fine grains. In this paper, an intensive laboratory study of saturated coarse rotund sand and fine angular sand mixtures with various mix ratios is investigated by a series of oedometer and direct shear tests. Oedometer tests performed on the mixtures show that fines percentages and stress conditions affect the compression behaviours. Tests indicated that, up to a fraction of fines, which is named as transition fines content (FC_t), compression behaviour of the mixture is mainly governed by the sand grains. As the percentage of fines exceeds FC_t finer grains govern the compression. Performed direct shear tests revealed that there is a relationship between the FC_t and shear strength, which is harmonic with the oedometer test results.     

含细粒砂土反常剪切行为的数值模拟研究

针对含细颗粒砂土的反常剪切行为,开展了双轴剪切试验的数值模拟,从宏细观角度分析了其反常剪切行为发生的内在机制。数值模拟结果表明,增加围压能提高含细颗粒砂土的抗剪切液化能力,该反常行为的根本原因在于围压上升使得粗细颗粒更有效地参与了力链传递,增加了颗粒间的接触,增强了土体的密实度。细颗粒在土骨架中的移动对砂土的液化起着至关重要的作用,而粗颗粒仅起次要作用。研究表明,细颗粒在剪切过程中会持续从有效土骨架中移出成为无效颗粒,而部分粗颗粒也因失去细颗粒的支撑作用会脱离土骨架,直至试样最终液化。细颗粒一般参与土骨架中的弱力链,而粗颗粒则一般参与强力链,导致细颗粒较粗颗粒更容易在土骨架中移动。     

非饱和粉土的液化特性研究

使用非饱和土动三轴试验仪,对非饱和粉土进行动力强度试验,探讨了饱和度、动应力比及固结围压对非饱和粉土动力强度特性、液化特性及孔压特性的影响。试验结果表明：（1）非饱和粉土的动强度随饱和度的增加而下降,在相同动剪应力比下饱和度与液化振次在半对数坐标上成线性关系;（2）非饱和粉土的液化与不液化的临界曲线近似成S型,非饱和粉土的抗液化能力随饱和度增大而降低,当饱和度小于60%时,土样不会液化;（3）非饱和粉土的动孔压随振次增大而增长,孔压的增长呈现出三段式的模式。     

Evaluation of Static Liquefaction Characteristics of Saturated Loose Sand Through the Mean Grain Size and Extreme Grain Sizes

Liquefaction of soils is a natural phenomenon associated with a dramatic loss of the soil shear strength in undrained conditions due to a development of excess pore water pressure. It usually causes extensive damages to buildings and infrastructures during earthquakes. Thus, it is important to evaluate extent of influential parameters on the liquefaction phenomenon of soils in order to clearly understand the different mechanisms leading to its triggering. The soil gradation is one of the most important parameters affecting the liquefaction phenomenon. In this context, a series of undrained compression triaxial tests were carried out on eighteen natural loose (Dr = 25%) sandy samples containing low plastic fines content of 2% (I_p = 5%) considering different extreme sizes (1.6 mm ≤ D_max ≤ 4 mm and 0.001 mm ≤ D_min ≤ 0.63 mm) and two mean grain size ranges (0.25 mm ≤ D₅₀ ≤ 1.0 mm) and (1.0 mm ≤ D₅₀ ≤ 2.5 mm). The initial confining pressure for all tests was kept constant (P′_c = 100 kPa). The obtained test results indicate that the mean grain size (D₅₀) and extreme grain sizes (D_max and D_min) have a significant influence on the undrained shear strength (known as liquefaction resistance) and appear as pertinent factors for the prediction of the undrained shear strength for the soil gradation under study. The undrained shear strength and the excess pore water pressure can be correlated to the extreme grain sizes (D_max and D_min) and the mean grain size (D₅₀) of tested wet deposited samples.     

Effects of Non-Plastic Silts on Liquefaction Potential of Solani Sand

Loose saturated cohesionless soils are most susceptible to liquefaction, however there are strong historical evidence suggesting that soils containing fines such as silty sands are also prone to liquefaction during earthquakes. The liquefaction of silty sands has been observed in a number of recent case studies. This paper presents the effects of fine silts on liquefaction potential of sandy soil. Tests have been conducted on the vibration table at different accelerations and pore water pressure is measured. During the lab investigation, locally (Roorkee, India) available Solani Sand and Dhanauri Silt have been used. The soil samples have been prepared by varying silt content and the initial relative density. The results of the study performed are used to clarify the effects of non-plastic fines content on the Solani sand. As the silt content increases, the number of cycles required to produce maximum pore water pressure increases. For a particular level of excitation, rate of pore water pressure generation is maximum at critical silt content. It is observed that critical silt content to generate maximum pore water pressure is different for different accelerations. Further, effect of silt content is very much dependent on relative density.