Abstract
Difficulty in predicting the transfer of load from a structural element to the surrounding soil has limited the reliability of geotechnical design and performance. The remaining uncertainty in load transfer mechanics is primarily due to the localized nature of the mechanism. This study examines localized soil-structure interaction through a series of monotonic direct interface shear tests. Parameters investigated include relative density, particle angularity, particle hardness, surface roughness, normal stress, and normal stiffness. The soil-structure interface behavior is quantified in terms of the local two-dimensional displacement and strain distributions within the test specimens using particle image velocimetry. In addition, the localized zone of soil adjacent to the structural surface within which shear and volumetric strains occur is quantified. The relative density of the soil, and the relationship between particle characteristics (angularity and hardness) and surface roughness are shown to have the greatest effect on local interface behavior, followed by confining stress and stiffness conditions.
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Acknowledgments
The writers thank David White for consultation regarding the implementation of GeoPIV.
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Information & Authors
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Published In
Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 135 • Issue 11 • November 2009
Pages: 1646 - 1660
Copyright
© 2009 ASCE.
History
Received: Jun 5, 2006
Accepted: Feb 21, 2009
Published online: Oct 15, 2009
Published in print: Nov 2009
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