Exploring the Effects of Initial Fabric Anisotropy due to Preshearing Stress History in Different Directions on the Undrained Behavior of Loose Sands
Publication: International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 24, Issue 9
Abstract
The main objective of this study was to investigate the response of uniform sand under constant volume (i.e., undrained) conditions and how it is influenced by the initial anisotropy induced in the soil fabric due to preshearing stress history. The experimental program explored a range of parameters, including stress–strain response, tendency to volume change, phase transformation, flow instability, noncoaxiality between stress and strain rate, and the critical state line. To induce initial anisotropy, samples were presheared along different directions and subsequently tested using an Swedish Geotechnical Institute (SGI)-type bidirectional direct simple shear apparatus. The testing program focused on the effects of initial anisotropy that were induced by preshearing, resulting from the application of initial shear stress in various directions relative to the subsequent shearing direction. To interpret the variations of stresses within the samples, Budhu's approach for stress state determination in simple shear specimens was adopted. The results demonstrate that the stress–strain behavior and global volume change tendency of the soil are heavily influenced by the magnitude and direction of the preshearing stress history. Furthermore, the study reveals that the effects of stress history significantly diminish at large shear strains as the samples approach the critical state.
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Data Availability Statement
The experimental data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Acknowledgments
The authors acknowledge the support and contributions of Global Material Testing Manufacturers (Global MTM Inc.) for their sincere support and cooperation in equipment setup and accessories development to enable the testing program of this study.
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International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 24 • Issue 9 • September 2024
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© 2024 American Society of Civil Engineers.
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Received: Aug 22, 2023
Accepted: Feb 29, 2024
Published online: Jul 11, 2024
Published in print: Sep 1, 2024
Discussion open until: Dec 11, 2024
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