TECHNICAL PAPERS
Nov 1, 1990

Small‐Strain‐Shear Modulus of Soil by Dilatometer

Publication: Journal of Geotechnical Engineering
Volume 116, Issue 11

Abstract

A procedure is presented for estimating the small strain shear modulus Gmax of soils based on flat dilatometer (DMT) test results. Previously published data from nine test sites at which both DMT and seismic tests were performed are used to develop a model. The nine sites represent various soil conditions ranging from soft clays to dense, overconsolidated sands. Earlier efforts had sought a relationship between Gmax and either the DMT modulus or the DMT horizontal stress index. The present study shows that a semiempirical expression for Gmax similar to Hardin's equation produces better results for a wider range of soil types. The expression includes terms for the effective confining stresses in the directions of wave propagation and particle motion and the DMT‐based total unit weight as a surrogate for void ratio. The average error between the observed Gm« and that determined by the model was 23%.

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Go to Journal of Geotechnical Engineering
Journal of Geotechnical Engineering
Volume 116Issue 11November 1990
Pages: 1700 - 1716

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Published online: Nov 1, 1990
Published in print: Nov 1990

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Authors

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Roman D. Hryciw, Associate Member, ASCE
Asst. Prof. of Civ. Engrg., Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109‐2125

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