Measuring and Modeling Proportion-Dependent Stress-Strain Behavior of EPS-Sand Mixture1
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VIEW CORRECTIONPublication: International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 10, Issue 6
Abstract
A geofoam was produced by blending expanded polystyrene (EPS) beads and sands in proportions. The formed mixtures, known as EPS-sands, were 26–63% lighter than general earth fills (e.g., sand). Consolidated-drained (CD) triaxial compression tests were conducted on EPS-sand mixture specimens to observe their stress-strain characteristics, specifically, the stress-strain responses in relation to the EPS contents (0.5, 1.5, and 2.5% by weight) used in the mixtures and confining pressures (100, 200, 300 to 400 kPa) loaded on the specimens. The EPS content and confining pressure were found to influence the stress-strain and volumetric strain behavior of the mixtures. Increasing EPS content led to decreased shear strength and increased volumetric strain. Increasing confining pressures enhanced the strength of the mixture. EPS-sand mixtures underwent a shear contraction throughout the CD tests. The optimum EPS bead content (i.e., the one reasonably balancing the unit weight, strength, and deformation) was in the order of 0.5% by weight. EPS content dependent strain increment equations were derived by compromising Cam-clay and modified Cam-clay, and used to model the stress-strain characteristics of EPS-sand mixtures. The established equations were verified being able to depict the stress-strain observations of EPS-sand specimens, at least for the ranges of EPS contents and confinements considered in this study.
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Acknowledgments
Contents described in this study were extended from the conference paper included in the ASCE GSP 192, Recent Advancement in Soil Behavior, In Situ Test Methods, Pile Foundations, and Tunneling. The selection and recommendation of this study by GeoHunan Conference Organizing Committee is appreciated. The work was supported by a grant of National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. NNSFC50708031) and supervised under Hohai Talent Program (2009).
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Published In
International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 10 • Issue 6 • December 2010
Pages: 214 - 222
Copyright
© 2010 ASCE.
History
Received: Aug 13, 2009
Accepted: Feb 24, 2010
Published online: Nov 15, 2010
Published in print: Dec 2010
Notes
This paper is based on a conference proceedings paper published in “Recent Advancement in Soil Behavior, In Situ Test Methods, Pile Foundations, and Tunneling” (ASCE GSP 192).
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