Normalized Shear Modulus and Material Damping Ratio Relationships
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 131, Issue 4
Abstract
Predictive equations for estimating normalized shear modulus and material damping ratio of Quaternary, Tertiary and older, and residual/saprolite soils are presented in this paper. The equations are based on a modified hyperbolic model and a statistical analysis of existing Resonant Column and Torsional Shear test results for 122 specimens obtained from South Carolina, North Carolina, and Alabama. Variables used in the equations for normalized shear modulus are: shear-strain amplitude, confining stress, and plasticity index (PI). The equations for damping ratio are expressed in terms of a polynomial function of normalized shear modulus plus a minimum damping ratio. It is found that the Quaternary soils exhibit more linearity than soils of the other two groups. Also, it is found that the effect of PI on dynamic soil behavior is not as significant as previously thought. Data from all three groups exhibit significant variations with confining stress, similar to the variations determined by Stokoe et al. The uncertainties associated with the equations for PI of 0 and mean effective confining stress of are quantified using the point estimate method. A case study from Charleston, S.C. is provided to illustrate an application of the equations to seismic response analysis and the importance of considering confining stress and geologic age.
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Acknowledgments
The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) supported this research under SCDOT Research Project No. 623. This support is sincerely appreciated. The writers also thank the many individuals and organizations that assisted with data collection, in particular, Randy Bowers of the South Carolina State Ports Authority, William M. Camp of S&ME, Inc., Jack B. Phillips formerly of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers—Savannah District, Benjamin Forman of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers—Savannah District, and Roy H. Borden of the North Carolina State University at Raleigh. Nicolas Giacomini, an international student visiting Clemson University, assisted with compiling the data from the RBRD site. The many helpful review comments on earlier versions of this work by the anonymous reviewers and Raymond A. Christopher of Clemson University are also gratefully acknowledged.
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Published In
Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 131 • Issue 4 • April 2005
Pages: 453 - 464
Copyright
© 2005 ASCE.
History
Received: Sep 8, 2003
Accepted: Sep 1, 2004
Published online: Apr 1, 2005
Published in print: Apr 2005
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