Abstract
The volume fraction of rock blocks plays a particularly significant role in static/dynamic shear behaviors of soil–rock mixtures (SRM). Large-scale cyclic triaxial tests for SRM with different volumetric block proportions (VBPs) were performed at different confining pressures to investigate the reduction of dynamic shear modulus (G) and the increase of damping ratio (λ). Results indicate that VBP has a significant effect on the dynamic behaviors of SRM. The higher VBP is more likely to result in a gentler reduction of G and a faster increase of λ. The variations of dynamic shear modulus ratio (G/G0) and normalized damping ratio (λnor) fall within relatively narrow bands but are very different with gravelly soils and sands due to VBP with particle size larger than 2 mm. The G/G0 and λnor can be characterized by empirical functions about normalized shear strain amplitude (γnor).
Highlights
Soil–rock mixtures (SRMs) are inhomogeneous and heterogeneous geological materials widely used in infrastructure projects such as road foundations, earth dams, and slopes [1]
Since the aerial phenomenon of rock blocks would result in significant difficulties in packing soil–rock mixtures (SRM) samples into the mold when volumetric block proportions (VBPs) was higher than 60%, only five VBP (0/15/30/45/60, %) combined with four confining pressures (CPs) (100/200/400/800, kPa) were considered in undrained cyclic triaxial tests
High CP always results in larger G values for SRM with the same VBP
Summary
Soil–rock mixtures (SRMs) are inhomogeneous and heterogeneous geological materials widely used in infrastructure projects such as road foundations, earth dams, and slopes [1]. Since their mechanical and physical properties are significantly determined by the interaction and properties of rock blocks, SRM belongs to neither the category of soil nor rock [2]. Araei et al [8] believed that the dynamic characteristics of reconstituted gravelly soils were significantly affected by gravel content, confining pressure, and loading frequency. This study conducted undrained cyclic triaxial tests on SRM with different VBPs and confining pressures (CPs) to investigate their dynamic characteristic evolution. The relationships of G and λ with shear strain amplitude (ca) were discussed in detail
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
