Frequency dependent dynamic properties from resonant column and cyclic triaxial tests

Abstract

The resonant column (RC) and cyclic triaxial (CT) devices are commonly used for the measurement of soils’ dynamic properties. The results of these tests do not agree when extrapolated to similar strain levels. The main objectives of this paper are to evaluate the effect of excitation frequency on the dynamic properties of soils, and to provide a methodology to reconcile shear modulus values obtained from RC and CT tests. The effect of frequency on the dynamic properties is evaluated using the new non-resonance (NR) method in the RC device and CT tests. Sand specimens with varying percentages of bentonite–water mixture and a clay specimen are tested. The results obtained from RC tests utilizing the NR method indicate significant change in shear modulus with frequency. The extrapolation of shear modulus from the conventional RC results to shear strains used in CT is significantly overestimated. The extrapolations improved when the results were corrected for frequency effect inferred from the NR method.