TECHNICAL PAPERS
Dec 13, 2002

Effects of Silt on Three-Dimensional Stress–Strain Behavior of Loose Sand

Publication: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 129, Issue 1

Abstract

An experimental study on the effects of nonplastic silt on the three-dimensional drained behavior of loose sand was performed employing a true triaxial testing apparatus. Laboratory experiments were performed on clean sand and on sand containing 20% nonplastic silt. The results indicate the failure stress levels and the overall trends of the stress–strain behavior were similar for both sands. However, the volume change behavior is significantly influenced by the presence of silt. The silty sand exhibited higher degrees of volumetric contraction during shearing than the clean sand. Relative density was used as the basis of comparison. The development of a shear band appears to have caused failure in all true triaxial testing performed, except in triaxial compression. This form of instability appears to increase its influence on the experimental results as the participation of intermediate principal stress increases. The formation of shear bands also appears to coincide with the cessation of contractive volumetric strain.

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Go to Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 129Issue 1January 2003
Pages: 1 - 11

History

Received: Feb 6, 2001
Accepted: May 9, 2002
Published online: Dec 13, 2002
Published in print: Jan 2003

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Authors

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Saul Shapiro
Graduate Student, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Clarkson Univ., Potsdam, NY 13699.
Jerry A. Yamamuro, M.ASCE
Assistant Professor, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Univ. of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716.

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