Abstract
Relative density is an important index affecting the mechanical behaviors of calcareous sands. The dense sands present softening strength, whereas the loose sands exhibit hardening strength. Furthermore, the relative density is determined based on the maximum and minimum void ratios obtained by using the maximum and minimum dry density test. In this study, a series of tests were carried out on various mixed graded sands to explore their material properties and the relationship between the limit void ratio, considering the effects of test methods, equipment, and fine content. It is shown that a more accurate maximum void ratio can be attained by using the 1000 mL measuring cylinder with low rotation speed. In addition, in order to avoid particle breakage of calcareous sands, it is suggested that the minimum void ratio should be obtained with the 1000 mL compaction cylinder combining vibration with hit. The results also show that a linear relationship exists among the limit void ratio of various mixed graded sands. Besides, the void ratio is significantly affected by the fine content. 40% is the critical fine content corresponding to the lowest value of the limit void ratio.
Highlights
Calcareous sands are special soils, which are biogenic sediments and skeletal remains of marine organisms
Calcareous sands are characterized by high crushability, irregular particle shape, high intraparticle void, and complex microstructure
We aim to examine the void ratio characteristics for calcareous sands including clean sands and sands containing a small amount of fine-size particles
Summary
Calcareous sands are special soils, which are biogenic sediments and skeletal remains of marine organisms. The main composition is calcium carbonate with a lower hardness than silica sands [1,2,3,4,5,6] They are widely distributed in shallow, warm, and continental shelf seas. Calcareous sands are characterized by high crushability, irregular particle shape, high intraparticle void, and complex microstructure. With the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative, calcareous sands have been a topic of interest among geotechnical researchers recently. They tend to concern particle shape and breakage [11,12,13], biocementation [14,15,16], and bearing capacity of pile foundations [17,18,19]. Dr, is a crucial indicator reflecting the compactness of noncohesive soil, which has been proposed and widely used by domestic and foreign scholars since the
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