Time effects on dynamic soil properties under random excitation conditions

Two types of clayey soils, a kaolinite and a bentonite, were tested using a resonant column apparatus under random excitation conditions. The concept of root mean square (rms) strain was utilized for the purpose of strain calculations during random loading. The conventional estimator of the transfer function was used for random vibration analysis. The effect of confinement duration (at a constant pressure) on dynamic soil properties, namely damping and shear modulus, was evaluated. The results indicate that for both cohesive soils, the effect of time was less pronounced during random vibration than sinusoidal loading at the same rms strain. This effect is however more pronounced when the peak shearing strain of sinusoidal loading is considered. Furthermore, time effects were more pronounced at low strain levels than at high strain levels.