Shear Strength Characteristics Research Articles

Shear Strength Characterization of the Interface Between Geocell Walls and Infill

Shear Strength Characterization of the Interface Between Geocell Walls and Infill

In-situ direct shear test and numerical comparative research on mudstone gravel slope reinforced by polymer grouting

This study investigates the shear strength characteristics of mudstone gravel slope following polymer grouting reinforcement through in-situ direct shear test. A corresponding numerical model was developed to analyze stress distribution. The findings indicate that shear stress initially increases and then stabilizes with horizontal displacement during the pre-grouting shear test. Post-grouting, a distinct stress peak emerges on the stress-displacement curve, signifying a substantial enhancement in overall shear strength. The peak shifts with increasing vertical stress, delaying the onset of yield strength. Moreover, a direct correlation exists between shear strength and the density of grout injected. Numerical simulations reveal an H-shaped stress distribution around the shear plane. Upon severing the grouting column, the stress distribution becomes intricate, with stress appearing to circumvent the column. The discrepancy between simulation and experimental data is minimal, with the simulated internal friction angle deviating by -0.97–1.5% from the experimental values and the simulated cohesion being marginally lower, with an error range of 3.9-5%. These results offer valuable insights for engineering applications.

Dynamic Shear Strength Characteristics of EPS Lightweight Soil

Dynamic Shear Strength Characteristics of EPS Lightweight Soil

Enhancing Shear Strength of Weakly Consolidated Mudstone in Water-Diversion Tunnels Through Artificial Ground-Freezing Techniques: An Experimental and Theoretical Study

The utilization of artificial ground-freezing techniques is increasingly prevalent in the construction of water-diversion tunnels. The inadequate mechanical properties of weakly consolidated mudstone (WCM) pose significant challenges for tunneling construction. In this study, a series of triaxial shear tests were conducted on frozen specimens of WCM to elucidate its shear strength characteristics. The experiment involved four freezing temperatures (0, −5, −10, and −20 °C) and four confining pressures (1, 2, 3, and 4 MPa). The results indicate that the shear failure mode of the WCM exhibits distinct shear zone failure characteristics under artificial freezing conditions, particularly prominent in the lower temperature environments. As the freezing temperature gradually decreases, there is a substantial increase of over 200% in the shear strength of frozen specimens, accompanied by a corresponding decrease in yield strain. Furthermore, the cohesion and internal friction angle of frozen WCM increase as the freezing temperature decreases, following a complex exponential function relationship rather than a linear one. As the freezing temperature decreases from 0 °C to −20 °C, there is an increase in cohesion and internal friction angle from 1012 kPa to 1425 kPa, accompanied by a rise in the internal friction angle from 43.2° to 58.1°. Notably, the application of confining pressure exerts a pronounced influence on the shear strength of frozen WCM, with elevated levels of confining pressure resulting in a substantial augmentation of the shear strength. The failure mode of frozen WCM is significantly influenced by freezing temperatures. At low temperatures, the specimen of mudstone exhibits a shear failure behavior, while at high temperatures, it predominantly demonstrates expansion failure. This phenomenon can be attributed to the increased brittleness of specimens caused by ice crystals, rendering it more susceptible to brittle failure under shearing forces. These findings signify an enhancement in the mechanical behavior of WCM within the tunnel sidewall under artificial freezing conditions.

Performance of geocell reinforced rubber sand mixtures under undrained triaxial test

Large quantities of scrap tires are produced by the automobile industry each year, which causes disposal challenges and impacts the environment. However, scrap tires exhibit various properties, including tensile strength, abrasion resistance, durability, thermal conductivity, elasticity, and more. Due to their versatile characteristics, these scrap tires can be utilized as construction materials for various civil engineering works to reduce their negative environmental effects and conserve natural resources. This study aims to understand the shear strength behaviours exhibited by geocell-reinforced mixtures of rubber and sand through the unconsolidated undrained triaxial test. Various parameters, including rubber sizes (425 μm to 12 mm), rubber contents (10% to 40% by volume), confining pressures (50 to 300 kPa), and geocell heights (0.2H to 0.8H, where H is the height of triaxial sample), were systematically examined to understand their impact on shear strength characteristics. The experimental findings reveal that deviatoric stress is enhanced with increasing confining pressure and rubber sizes. The maximum benefits of the rubber-sand mixture were observed at 30% rubber content. Geocell-reinforced rubber sand mixture has a higher shear strength with respect to the unreinforced mixture. Furthermore, the energy absorption capacity of the geocell-reinforced rubber sand mixtures was much better as compared to either the clean sand or rubber-sand mixture. The findings of this research demonstrate that geocellreinforced rubber sand mixtures are suitable for various geotechnical engineering works.

Shear strength characteristics of unsaturated compacted GMZ bentonite considering anisotropy

Anisotropic microstructure would be generated in the bentonite block during unidirectional compactions. Working as buffer materials, the compacted bentonite will inevitably experience shearing processes during the long-term operation of geological repositories. In this paper, high-pressure triaxial tests were conducted on unsaturated compacted GMZ bentonite specimens with different water contents, dry densities and confining stresses, with the compaction surface of the specimens oriented in both horizontally (H-type) and vertically (V-type) configurations. Results demonstrate that an increase in water content leads to a reduction in both peak strength and residual strength, while higher confining stresses enhance these strength parameters. Normally consolidated and lightly over-consolidated bentonite specimens display substantial shear deformation, whereas heavily over-consolidated specimens tend to experience brittle failure. Water content plays a significant role in shaping both the critical state line (CSL) and the Hvorslev surface (HS), with increasing water content resulting in decreased slope parameters for both and an increased intercept parameter for the HS. Generally, V-type specimens demonstrate a steeper CSL and an outwardly extended HS in contrast to that of H-type specimens. The critical state ratio for V-type specimens is about 10 % higher, and the friction angle is 2.8° greater, than that of the H-type ones. Moreover, this difference appears to increase with increasing water content. The difference of the HS slope parameter between the two specimens is minor, while the intercept parameter is higher for the V-type specimens.

Shear strength characteristics of mixing slag-stone ballast reinforcement with tire geo-scrap using large-scale direct shear tests

AbstractUtilizing the ballast layer with more durable and stable characteristics can help avoid significant expenses due to decreased maintenance efforts. Strengthening the ballast layer with different types of reinforcements or substituting the stone aggregates with the appropriate granular materials could potentially help to achieve this goal by reducing the ballast deterioration. One of the exquisite and most effective solutions to eliminate these challenges is to use waste materials such as steel slag aggregates and useless tires. Utilizing these waste materials in the ballasted railway track will contribute to sustainable development, an eco-friendly system, and green infrastructure. So in a state-of-the-art insightful, the ballast aggregates, including a mixture of steel slag and stone aggregates, are reinforced with a novel kind of geo-grid made of waste tire strips known as geo-scraps. This laboratory research tried to explain the shear strength behavior of the introduced mixing slag-stone ballast reinforced with tire geo-scrap. To achieve this goal, a series of large-scale direct shear tests were performed on the ballast which is reinforced by tire geo-scrap and included various combinations of slag and stone aggregates. The concluded results indicate that the optimal mixing ratio is attained by a combination of 75% slag and 25% stone aggregates which is reinforced by tire geo-scrap at a placing level of 120 mm. In this case, the shear strength‌, internal friction angle, vertical displacement, and dilatancy angle of stone–slag ballast reinforced with geo-scraps exhibited average changes of + 28%, + 9%, − 28%, and − 15%, respectively.

Enhancing shear strength of sandy soil using zein biopolymer

Ecofriendly stabilization using various biopolymers has been explored to enhance the soil strength and the stability of geotechnical structures. This study investigates the improvement of shear strength characteristics in sandy soils treated with a novel protein-based biopolymer, zein. Poorly- and well-graded sands are treated with three different biopolymer contents (1, 2, and 3 %) and cured for 1–28 days. Direct shear tests are conducted under four normal stresses to evaluate the shear behavior and strength parameters of treated and untreated sands. The treated sands exhibit higher peak shear stress and more brittle behavior than the untreated sands due to the formation of biopolymer gel between the soil particles. The treated specimens show a greater improvement in shear strength over longer curing periods, with variation based on soil gradation. After curing for 28 days, apparent cohesion and internal friction angle significantly increase, from 8.1 to 257 kPa and from 26 to 45.4⁰, respectively. Poorly graded sands demonstrate a greater improvement in shear strength compared to well-graded sands, owing to the higher pore spaces available for biopolymer filling and bonding. Thus, incorporating zein biopolymer can significantly enhance the shear strength characteristics of sandy soil, providing a sustainable alternative for soil stabilization in geotechnical engineering.

Effects of electrokinetic stabilization combined with addition of calcium ions on soil shear strength characteristics in the hilly granitic region of southern China

Enhancing soil shear strength is of great importance in preventing soil collapse and erosion in the hilly granitic region of southern China. However, limited studies have been conducted on improving soil shear strength in collapsing gullies. Electrokinetic stabilization (EKS) involves applying an electrical current through a soil mass to promote the migration of chemicals from injection points, thereby altering the chemical composition of the treated soil to improve its physical properties. In this study, the effects of calcium chloride (CaCl 2 ) addition and EKS techniques on the soil shear characteristics (shear strength, and its two components: cohesion and internal friction angle) of three different soil layers in collapsing gullies were investigated. The results showed that the EKS techniques significantly increased the migration of calcium ions from the anode to the cathode region of the power supply device used in the soils. Using EKS process alone did not increase or even decrease the soil shear strength, but combining EKS with CaCl 2 injection (Ca-EKS) increased the soil shear strength, and this increase was mainly due to the increasing the soil cohesion. The soil cohesion after Ca-EKS treatment increased on average by 49.84%, 83.11%, and 100.36% compared with the soil without treatments (CK) for the red soil, sandy soil, and detritus, respectively. However, soil amended by sole CaCl 2 addition, Water-EKS or Ca-EKS all can not increase soil internal friction angles compared with the CK. These results demonstrated that the application of Ca-EKS can be applied to improve the soil shear strength and stability of gully walls in hilly granitic regions.

Effects of Minor Zn Dopants in Sn-10Bi Solder on Interfacial Reaction and Shear Properties of Solder on Ni/Au Surface Finish.

Sn-10Bi low-bismuth-content solder alloy provides a potential alternative to the currently used Sn-Ag-Cu series due to its lower cost, excellent ductility, and strengthening resulting from the Bi solid solution and precipitation. This study primarily investigates the interfacial evolution and shear strength characteristics of Sn-10Bi joints on a Ni/Au surface finish during the as-soldered and subsequent isothermal aging processes. To improve the joint performance, a 0.2 or 0.5 wt.% dopant of Zn was incorporated into Sn-10Bi solder. The findings demonstrated that a 0.2 or 0.5 wt.% Zn dopant altered the composition of the intermetallic compound (IMC) formed at the interface between the solder and Ni/Au surface finish from Ni3Sn4 to Ni3(Sn, Zn)4. The occurrence of this transformation is attributed to the diffusion of Zn atoms into the Ni3Sn4 lattice, resulting in the substitution of a portion of the Sn atoms by Zn atoms, thereby forming the Ni3(Sn, Zn)4 IMC during the soldering process, which was also verified by calculations based on first principles. Furthermore, a 0.2 or 0.5 wt.% Zn dopant in Sn-10Bi significantly inhibited the Ni3(Sn, Zn)4 growth after both the soldering and thermal aging processes. Zn addition can enhance the shear strength of solder joints irrespective of the as-soldered or aging condition. The fracture mode was determined by the aging durations-with the brittle mode occurring for as-soldered joints, the ductile mode occurring for aged joints after 10 days, and again the brittle mode for joints after 40 days of aging.

Simplified evaluation method of shear strength characteristics of embankment materials applied to aseismic diagnosis of existing embankments

Simplified evaluation method of shear strength characteristics of embankment materials applied to aseismic diagnosis of existing embankments

Analysis on slope stability by anchorage based on soil creep with flood effect

In order to analyze the adverse effect of flood affection on slope stability, the analytical expressions of buoyancy force and capillary force, hydrodynamic pressure and impact force, and scour erosion were proposed based on the aging characteristics of soil shear strength and limit equilibrium theory. According to the load combination and flood action, shear failure occurs preferentially at the foot of slope. Then, the plastic zone continues to extend upward to produce traction landslide disaster mode. Furthermore, the power function relation between shear strength index and time was established. The nonlinear accelerated creep model was also obtained. At the same time, the safety factor formula for flood loading effect slope aging stability, the time-varying characteristic value of anchor force and the compensation value of anchor force were also obtained and used to research sliding mechanism. In addition, the numerical calculation example shows that the slope safety factor decreases by more than 20 % considering the effect of flood ascending scour and impact, and the compensation value of anchorage force increases obviously with time increasing. Simultaneously, the change rate of compensation value of anchorage force increases nonlinearly with the increase of design safety factor.

RETRACTED: Relationships among fall cone flow index and consistency identifiers of fine-grained soils with emphasis on toughness limit

It is well known that plasticity characteristics are one of the most important factors controlling the engineering behavior of fine-grained soils. In this regard, Atterberg limits are used for evaluation of plasticity and strength behavior of soils. Of all the plasticity identifiers, fall cone flow index, which is the slope of the flow curve is a descriptor of plasticity and undrained shear strength characteristics of cohesive soils. On the other hand, toughness limit is also efficient in prediction of many index properties of soils including plasticity characteristics, compression index as well as residual friction angle. This study is an attempt to establish relationships among fall cone flow index and consistency identifiers of fine-grained soils. Emphasis is given on toughness limit, which is believed to be a practical and efficient approach in assessment of fall cone flow index. Regression-based equations establishing relationships between fall cone flow index, plasticity index, plasticity ratio, toughness limit and liquid limit were presented. Besides, the efficiency of artificial neural networks in prediction of toughness limit and fall cone flow index was investigated. It should be noted that established relationships using regression equations are based on regional data, which come up with coefficient of determination (R2) values ranging between 0.706 and 0.978. On the other hand, ANN models were used to model global data, R2 values were obtained to be between 0.586-0.972 and 0.522-0.889 for training and testing phases, respectively. Relationships concerning local and global data were presented, along with analysis of effectiveness of application of relationships established for analysis of global data.

Experimental research on shear strength characteristics of cement-stabilized dredged silty clay reinforced with alginate fiber

In order to avoid uneven dispersion or agglomeration of traditional fibers after mechanical mixing, alginate fibers as natural fibers were selected in this study to reinforce the cement-stabilized dredged silty clay, forming alginate fiber-reinforced cement-stabilized dredged silty clay. The shear strength of cement-stabilized dredged silty clay reinforced with alginate fibers with the same cement content (9 % by wet weight) and cured for 7 and 28 days was investigated. Consolidated undrained (CU) triaxial compression tests were carried out on reinforced soil samples with varying fiber lengths (3 mm, 6 mm, and 9 mm) and fiber contents (0 %, 0.3 %, 0.6 %, and 0.9 % by weight of wet soil) to assess the shear strength characteristics. The results showed that, on average, the shear strength increased by 18.30 % and 18.56 % with the increasing content and length of alginate fibers, respectively. The variation in deviator stress and axial strain exhibited a shift from strain-softening to strain-hardening with increased confining pressure, alginate fiber content, and length. Hence, a double exponential curve model with different fiber content and length in three confined pressures was proposed, and the correlation coefficient of the fitting results was above 0.90. The secant modulus E50 increased and subsequently decreased with the length of fibers, with the largest secant modulus E50 observed for 6 mm fiber length. The strength parameters (cohesion c and internal friction angle φ) exhibited contrasting responses to variations in alginate fiber length and content. The cohesion of the fiber-reinforced soil specimens increased by 29.0 % and 13.1 %, respectively, for increased fiber content and length. Nevertheless, the angle of internal friction remained relatively unchanged. The findings of this study can serve as a reference guide for related engineering projects.

Investigation of the Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Glass Fiber Reinforced ABS/Epoxy Blended Polymer Composite

This research investigates the formation of polymer blends by blending Epoxy LY556 with Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS) at weight percentages ranging from 2 to 10% wt. The thermal properties, morphological characteristics, tensile strength, flexural strength, and interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) characteristics of these composites were examined. The X-ray Diffractometer (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR) studies confirmed the presence of binary blends. The miscibility of epoxy/ABS blends is shown by the presence of a single melting peak in the Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) analysis. The Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) findings indicate that epoxy and ABS blends exhibit greater thermal stability than pure epoxy. The tensile strength increased from 183.6 to 380.6 MPa, flexural strength increased from 165.3 MPa to 335.6 MPa, ILSS increased from 32.4 MPa to 72 MPa for 8% wt. of ABS blending, and the laminates witnessed a decrease in density and hardness values. The Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) images demonstrate the commendable blending characteristics and the synergistic impact of the ABS/Epoxy composite, yielding superior outcomes to the pure epoxy material.

The Role of Spatial Distribution of Geotechnical Soil Parameters in Site Investigation

Abstract The correct investigation of the foundation soil is essential for the optimal and efficient design of any structure. The interaction of a structure with the foundation soil can only be evaluated through the physical and mechanical characteristics of the intercepted geotechnical layers on the entire zone of influence. For this reason, the role of technical documentation that includes and summarizes field investigations and laboratory tests is particularly important. An important and sometimes complicated component in providing useful design information is the division into geotechnical or computational layers. This can be done at different levels, starting from the physical characteristics such as color, grain size distribution, plasticity and consistency and can continue with the evaluation of the mechanical characteristics of compressibility and shear strength. The aim of the paper is to create a graphical representation of the geotechnical parameters using a spatial interpolation technique (Kriging method). The creation of 2D maps using SURFER software assists geotechnical engineers in the correct interpretation of the geotechnical parameters. This interpolation technique for division into layers is also useful in quarries and borrows pits, when soil is used as construction material.

Investigation of the Shear and Pore Structure Characteristics of Rubber Fiber-Reinforced Expansive Soil

In recent years, many researchers have evaluated the sustainable use of waste tire rubber as an aggregate in soil. Its effectiveness has been widely acknowledged. The main objective of this work is to study the influence of rubber fibers on shear strength and pore structure characteristics in relation to expansive soil. In this context, we conducted a series of experiments that were carried out on reinforced expansive soil with rubber fiber contents of 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20%. The results show that the shear strength and maximum dilatation angle increase gradually with rubber fiber content. Due to the pore water pressure and creep effects, the deviator stress and effective cohesion of the samples under the consolidated drained conditions were higher than those under the undrained conditions. The converse was true for the internal angle. The addition of an appropriate amount of (5–10%) rubber fiber can effectively inhibit the development of soil cracks and reduce the porosity of the samples. The results obtained can highlight the beneficial effects of rubber fiber, which is highly desirable in many backfill applications.

Strength behaviour of soil blended with two waste materials-fly ash and tire crumbs with cement

Abstract The rapid development in the economy has led to a growing need for electricity and automobiles, leading to the production of large quantities of fly ash (FA) and discarded tires. The safe disposal of these materials has become a significant problem. FA and scrap tyre derived material has some useful properties which can be beneficially used for enhancing the engineering properties of soil. Therefore, the study investigates the combined impact of FA and scrap tire-derived material on the stress-strain-strength behaviour of a fine-grained residual lateritic soil, incorporating a cementing agent. The research involves compaction tests followed by triaxial compression tests, where FA content added at an increment of 15% starting from 20% by weight of soil. The maximum FA content used in the mix is 50% by weight of soil. Tyre crumb (TC) which is a scrap tire-derived material, is also included in the study, with TC content ranging from 5% to 10% by weight. Additionally, 2% by weight of cement is added to each soil mix as a binding agent. Specimens are compacted in accordance with specific compaction parameters and subsequently cured for duration of up to 28 days. Strength tests are then carried out on those specimens to analyse their strength behaviour. This research primarily examines the shear strength characteristics of soil blended with FA, cement, and TC, emphasizing their geotechnical performance. Addition of 5% TC increases the peak deviator stress of cemented mix having 50% FA content from 1351 kPa to 2710 kPa at 300 kPa confining pressure and 28 days curing period. The inclusion of TC to soil-FA-cement blends is noted to significantly enhance shear strength when compared to mixes without tire crumb. Also, the stress-strain behaviour of soil is significantly influenced by addition of FA and cement in the presence of TC. Therefore, there is an ample scope of utilization of soil-fly ash-cement-TC mixes in geotechnical applications.

Mechanical and hydraulic properties of unsaturated layered pyroclastic ashes in landslide-prone areas of Campania (Italy)

Air-fall pyroclastic soil deposits usually display a loose fabric composed of alternating layers of ashes and pumices. Such deposits, when lying on steep slopes, represent a major geohazard due to the occurrence of landslides. This is the case of the carbonate massifs in Campania (southern Italy), a wide landslide-prone area of approximately 400 km2 covered with pyroclastic soils. In such cohesionless deposits, the additional shear strength provided by soil suction in unsaturated conditions is important for ensuring slope stability and can be jeopardized by soil wetting during rainwater infiltration. This paper provides a comprehensive view of the hydraulic and shear strength characteristics of different layers of pyroclastic deposits at different sites in Campania, revealing a broad view of their similarities and differences. To that end, some datasets from previous studies and novel data are gathered, linking the index properties, the hydraulic behavior of the soils and the contribution of suction to the shear strength of the studied materials. Two types of ashes at different positions within the stratigraphic sequence are identified: ashes interbedded between pumice layers, where landslide failure surfaces usually occur, and altered ashes in contact with the bedrock, which affects water leakage from the overlying soil profile. The former show quite uniform characteristics, and this allowed testing some predictive models for the assessment of the unsaturated shear strength of pyroclastic ashes in the absence of direct measurements. In contrast, the latter may exhibit significantly different behaviors, with great variability in hydraulic and mechanical properties.

Experimental Study on the Shear Strength of Different Interfaces of Fine-Grained-Tailing-Filled Geotextile Tubes

As damming material, fine-grained tailings present challenges such as low dam strength and poor stability. To address these issues, this study employs geotextile tube technology to mix water with fine-grained tailings, forming a tailing slurry with a concentration of 60%, which is filled into a geotextile bag to form a geotextile tube, so as to improve the stability of fine-grained tailings. The shear strength characteristics of each interface under different consolidation times and different filling degrees were studied via an indoor shear experiment, including the shear strength of tailing particles, that between tailings and geotextiles, and that within geotextile tubes themselves. The results show that the shear strength of each interface conforms to the Mohr–Coulomb strength criterion, and that the interface cohesion is greatly affected by the consolidation time, while the interface friction angle is mainly affected by the filling degree. Moreover, the shear strength comparison, based on the comprehensive friction angle concept, indicates a substantial increase in shear strength at the interfaces between geotextile tubes compared to both that of the tailings themselves and the interface between tailings and geotextiles, highlighting the reinforcing effect of the geotextile tube filling technology on tailings’ shear strength.