Estimating Shear Strength of Residual Soil and Saprolite in South Carolina for Evaluation of Shear Modulus Reduction Models
Publication: Geo-Congress 2024
ABSTRACT
This paper evaluates the large-strain (>0.2%) predictions of a new shear modulus reduction model for residual soil and saprolite in South Carolina using estimates of peak shear strength. The shear modulus reduction model was derived from available laboratory resonant column (RC) test measurements by other investigators on samples from the Piedmont regions of Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. Nearly all the compiled RC test measurements were made at shear strains less than 0.2%. Engineering properties needed to complete the evaluation (e.g., small-strain shear-wave velocity, total unit weight, plasticity index, dynamic peak shear strength) and their uncertainties are discussed in this paper. It is found that the dynamic peak shear strengths implied by the modulus reduction model are significantly greater than those estimated from published effective stress triaxial test results for unsaturated and saturated residual soil and saprolite specimens. A procedure for correcting the modulus reduction curves at large strains is described. The results are being used in site response analyses to develop amplification factors compatible with newly developed statewide seismic hazard maps for use by the South Carolina Department of Transportation.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Geo-Congress 2024
Pages: 171 - 182
History
Published online: Feb 22, 2024
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Continuum mechanics
- Dynamics (solid mechanics)
- Engineering fundamentals
- Engineering mechanics
- Geomechanics
- Geotechnical engineering
- Laboratory tests
- Material mechanics
- Material properties
- Materials engineering
- Mechanical properties
- Residual soils
- Seismic waves
- Shear modulus
- Shear strength
- Shear tests
- Shear waves
- Soil dynamics
- Soil mechanics
- Soil modulus
- Soil properties
- Soil strength
- Soils (by type)
- Solid mechanics
- Strength of materials
- Tests (by type)
- Waves (mechanics)
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