A New Index for Estimating the Improved Depth of Dynamic Compaction
Publication: International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 24, Issue 3
Abstract
Improved depth is of fundamental importance for earth-filled foundations with dynamic compaction (DC) and is closely relevant to the mechanical characteristics of earth fillers under impact load. This study carried out numerical DC tests on fine-grained soil to estimate the improved depth more easily and accurately. The filler’s multiscale responses, including crater depth and porosity, were evaluated. Results showed that a heavier tamper weight with a lower drop distance was relatively more efficient in densifying soil fillers, although the tamping energy (MH1.0) and tamping momentum (MH0.5) were the same; however, contrary results were observed under the same value of MH0.2. In addition, three different combinations of M and H led to similar soil responses under the same value of MH0.3, which is thus recommended as the new index to estimate the improved depth and densification efficiency of DC. A mechanistic analysis found that M contributes more than H to compact soil fillers, which can be quantified by contribution ratio α. Moreover, large-scale field DC tests confirmed the findings.
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Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or codes that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Acknowledgments
This research was supported by the National Key R&D Program of China (No. 2018YFB1600100) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 51908066, 52278435). The author Xi Li acknowledges the support of the China Scholarship Council.
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International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 24 • Issue 3 • March 2024
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© 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Dec 20, 2022
Accepted: Aug 23, 2023
Published online: Dec 27, 2023
Published in print: Mar 1, 2024
Discussion open until: May 27, 2024
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