Effects of Sample Preparation Methods on Tensile Strength of Red Clay

Abstract

Effects of two sample preparation methods on tensile strength of red clay are studied. The first method adopts standard layered-bumping to make sample whose layer interfaces are vertical to tensile force. The second method uses compaction apparatus to prepare big sample and the big sample is cut to prepare triaxial sample whose layer interface is parallel to tensile force. Test results indicate that the layer interfaces of soil sample have large influence on the single axle tension test, because the results of the sample prepared by 1st method have large dispersion and low strength, while the results of the sample prepared by 2nd method are just the opposite.Moreover,the layer interfaces of soil sample have little influence on the unconfined compressive strength test, and the results of the tensile test and unconfined compressive strength test of the samples prepared by 2nd method meet with the Griffith Criterion, so the samples of uniaxial tension test should be prepared by 2nd method.