Simple Shear Device Research Articles

Viscosity of Clayey Soils: Experimental Studies

Due to the high rate of the development of housing, transportation and hydraulic engineering construction in the last hundred years, the study of the phenomenon of creep of clay soils has become a subject of scientific research. In the study, experimental investigations of clay soil were conducted using a simple shear device in kinematic loading mode, aimed at examining the influence of shear rate on the viscosity coefficient of the clay soil and its strength characteristics. The tests were performed at four different shear rates and three different vertical load values. Based on the results of experimental and theoretical studies, the viscosity coefficients of clay soil were obtained, and a new rheological equation was proposed, which simultaneously takes into account the influence of Coulomb friction, structural cohesion, cohesion of water–colloidal bonds and viscous resistance of the soil. It has been shown that the shear rate has a significant impact on the viscosity coefficient of clay soil, and the viscosity coefficient itself is a variable quantity, depending both on the magnitude of the applied load and the duration of its application. The obtained results can be used for further improvement of methods for calculating the settlement of structures over time, as well as for predicting the time until the bearing capacity of foundation soils is exhausted.

Modeling the Stiffening Behavior of Sand Subjected to Dynamic Loading

In geotechnical engineering, dynamic soil models are used to predict soil behavior under different loading conditions. This is crucial for many dynamic geotechnical problems related to earthquakes, train loading and machine foundation design. Researchers agree that under dry or drained conditions, cohesionless soils increase in stiffness with each loading cycle. Soil models that simulate the dynamic behaviors of soils are often coupled with the Masing criteria. Such models neglect the impact of stiffening during cyclic loading, leading to an underestimation in the shear modulus (G). This study investigates the stiffening behavior by conducting laboratory tests on three types of Danube sands using the Resonant Column-Torsional Simple Shear device (RC-TOSS). The increase in the dynamic shear modulus with an increasing number of cycles is substantial, especially for samples with low density. Sometimes, the dynamic shear modulus doubles when loaded at high stress levels for more than 50 cycles. A new model is introduced to simulate the stiffening behavior of dry sand when subjected to cyclic torsional loading. Modifications are proposed for the Ramberg–Osgood and Hardin–Drnevich models and for the Masing criteria to overcome the limitations that accompany these models due to the influence of stiffening caused by repetitive loading being ignored. This model can be implemented in finite element and finite difference software to solve dynamic geotechnical problems.

Shear rate effect on clay-structure interface strength properties in various interface boundary conditions

Based on the modified simple direct shear device which can directly measure the interface pore pressure and interface shear displacement, a series of interface shear tests and corresponding pure clay shear tests were conducted at an undrained state in constant normal load (CNL) boundary conditions or equivalent undrained state in constant volume (CV) boundary conditions. The clay-structure interfaces, consisting of seabed clay and Speswhite kaolin clay with overconsolidation ratios (OCR) of 1 and 3, were tested at three shear rates, respectively V1 = 0.0002 mm/s, V2 = 0.001 mm/s, and V3 = 0.01 mm/s. The results demonstrated that the shear strength of the clay-structure interface is lower than that of pure clay, and this difference is more pronounced under CV boundary conditions. In CNL condition, though the pure clay strength decreases with increasing shear rate at OCR = 1 and increases with increasing shear rate at OCR = 3, the shear rate effect on clay-structure interface strength is not obvious. In CV condition, the strength of the interface with the normally consolidated (NC) and over consolidated (OC) clay increases approximately linearly with the shear rate on the semi-logarithmic scale. the shear rate parameter ρ is used to describe the growth rate of pure clay or clay-structure interface shear strength with a tenfold increase in shear rate. As for normally consolidated clay, in CV condition, the corresponding shear rate parameter satisfies that ρ (with R1 roughness)> ρ (pure clay)> ρ (with R2 roughness). The rate parameter corresponding to NC seabed clay is significantly higher than the rate parameter corresponding to NC Speswhite kaolin clay. For OC clay, the shear rate parameter for interface strength is higher than that for pure clay, meeting with the relationship that ρ (with R1 roughness)> ρ (with R2 roughness)> ρ (pure clay).

A SHANSEP approach to quantifying the behaviour of clayey soils on a constant shear drained stress path

Assessing the risk of slope failures of earth structures comprising loose, saturated soils has seen increased focus recently owing to a series of prominent tailings and water dam failures. The potential for the triggering of slope instability by a rising phreatic surface – commonly referred to as the constant shear drained (CSD) stress path – has been well documented over the past few decades for sands and sandy soils under a wide range of loading modes. Alternatively, there has been limited CSD element testing of more clayey soils, with the available data rather showing a dilative tendency through the CSD stress path and mobilised strengths greater than the critical friction ratio, even for specimens commencing CSD shearing from an initially loose state. The current paper expands on the CSD data of clayey soils by testing an iron ore tailings (IOT) and kaolin clay in both triaxial and direct simple shear (DSS) devices, with an emphasis on the DSS. Owing to the tendency for the CSD stress path to result in an overconsolidated condition (i.e. unloading) the tests in the current study were interpreted in the SHANSEP framework given its frequent use to analyse clay behaviour. The results indicated that the SHANSEP framework can reasonably characterise some aspects of CSD behaviour of clays in DSS loading, with some caveats.

Damping of Dry Sand in Resonant Column-Torsional Simple Shear Device

The damping ratio values of three different Danube sands were measured in the Resonant Column-Torsional Simple Shear device (RC-TOSS). The distinctive configuration of the RC-TOSS device employed in this investigation enabled the performance of both tests using a single sample. This research estimates and compares the damping ratio values measured with three distinct methods (two of which are in the RC test): The Free Vibration Decay (FVD), the Steady-State Vibration (SSV) methods, and the method of calculating the damping ratio from the hysteretic loops generated in the TOSS test. Both dense and loose samples were tested up to a peak-to-peak amplitude shear strain of 1%. The device provides measurements over a wide range of shear strain amplitudes. The results support the employment of the SSV methods at low strains (below 0.005%), while the FVD method gives a better estimate at higher strains (above 0.03%). The two methods and the TOSS results are in agreement with each other between 0.005% and 0.03%. The effect of the number of cycles on the damping ratio was investigated where a significant decrease was observed in the damping ratio with an increasing number of cycles. A parameter is introduced to describe the rate of this decrease, which should be considered during the structural design to reduce maintenance and life-cycle costs and enhance sustainability.

Monotonic and Cyclic Simple Shear Response of Well-Graded Sandy Gravel Soils from Wellington, New Zealand

In the 2016 Kaikoura earthquake, liquefaction of gravelly soils from reclaimed fills occurred in CentrePort, Wellington, New Zealand. This study presents constant volume monotonic and cyclic simple shear tests on well-graded gravel with sand collected from CentrePort. A large-scale cyclic simple shear device is utilized to evaluate the monotonic, cyclic, and postcyclic responses of the sandy gravel soils. Specimens prepared at various relative densities were subjected to a vertical effective stress of 100 kPa and then monotonically and cyclically sheared. After the cyclic loading, the postcyclic response was evaluated, including volumetric compression or monotonic shear with or without dissipation of excess pore water pressure. Shear wave velocity was measured before and after the cyclic loading. The results show that the well-graded sandy gravel has a high potential for liquefaction, with higher relative density specimens having higher liquefaction resistance. Postcyclic volumetric strain is primarily correlated with density and maximum shear strain during cyclic loading. Postcyclic reconsolidation causes densification of the liquefied specimens, resulting in higher monotonic shear resistance, while postcyclic monotonic shear without dissipation of excess pore water pressure reveals that substantial shear strain is required to develop the shear resistance. Shear wave velocity was significantly reduced after liquefaction, but recovered to slightly higher than its precyclic shear values after reconsolidation. Compared to other gravelly and sandy soils, the well-graded sandy gravel showed a similar or slightly higher liquefaction resistance than gap-graded and uniform gravels. Moreover, the well-graded sandy gravel had a relatively lower ultimate postcyclic volumetric strain due to a small variation between its maximum and minimum void ratios. The results advance our understanding of the liquefaction resistance and subsequent postcyclic responses of the well-graded sandy gravel soils.

Liquefaction Behavior of a Well-Graded Gravelly Soil under Initial Static Shear Stress in Cyclic Triaxial and Simple Shear Conditions

Among other reasons, studies of the liquefaction potential of gravelly soils are limited because of the difficulties involved in preparing uniform specimens, without particle segregation, especially for a well-graded gravelly soil in a dry state for simple shear testing. Errors and difficulties are also involved in compensating for membrane penetration to a gravelly soil specimen in triaxial testing to get reliable data. Thus, innovative approaches for preparing triaxial and simple shear specimens for gravelly soils are introduced and implemented in this study to overcome experimental problems in acquiring accurate test results. In addition to the aim of obtaining reliable testing data on the liquefaction of gravelly soils under initial static shear stress for simulating sloping ground conditions, a study of the effect of various stress paths on the liquefaction resistance of gravelly soils was another goal of this research. In this regard, two sets of cyclic tests using medium-size triaxial and simple shear devices are conducted on a unique soil to compare the liquefaction potential of the tested gravelly soil using these two devices. Results of simple shear tests indicate that as the value of initial static shear stress increases, the cyclic resistance of the tested gravelly soil decreases. However, the results of the triaxial tests show that the variation of cyclic resistance for the tested soil depends on the initial static shear stress level and associated stress reversal conditions. Furthermore, the observed value of the pore water pressure ratio at failure using the strain-based liquefaction criteria for the tested gravelly soil was about 0.85, regardless of the type of testing. In addition, the relationship between the liquefaction resistance of gravelly soils using cyclic triaxial and simple shear devices was obtained.

A Multidirectional Cyclic Direct Simple Shear Device for Characterizing Dynamic Soil Behavior

AbstractA newly constructed multidirectional cyclic direct simple shear (mcDSS) device with unique capabilities is introduced. This mcDSS apparatus, called the Illinois mcDSS (or I-mcDSS) device, for the first time brings together the following capabilities: (1) servo-hydraulic control that can apply stress- or strain-based monotonic, cyclic (e.g., sinusoidal, saw tooth, and square), and high-frequency broadband loads at realistic earthquake loading rates, improving over previous devices with pneumatic control; (2) unidirectional and bidirectional loading; (3) bender elements to measure (S-wave) velocity; (4) a cell for applying consolidation stresses different from at-rest values as well as back-pressure saturation; and (5) a multidirectional load cell on top of the specimen to minimize the effect of compliance and component friction on load measurements. The I-mcDSS device tests cylindrical specimens confined using either a wire-reinforced membrane or stacked rings. Experiments conducted on a uniformly graded Ottawa sand are presented to illustrate each key I-mcDSS feature. Test repeatability is demonstrated for monotonic and bidirectional cyclic tests. Drained or constant volume, K0-consolidated, strain-controlled monotonic, unidirectional cyclic, and bidirectional (circular, figure-8, and broadband) cyclic tests on dry specimens yielded shear stress–shear strain relations, peak effective-stress friction angles (ϕ′peak-DSS), and volumetric strains, or excess pore water pressures, consistent with the literature. However, depending on load cell and displacement transducer locations, device compliance was observed to affect shear stress–shear strain response at shear strains less than 1 %. When compared with triaxial compression (TC) peak effective-stress friction angles (ϕ′peak-TC), ϕ′peak-DSS was about 5° smaller than ϕ′peak-TC if the horizontal plane is considered the failure plane, whereas ϕ′peak-DSS ≈ ϕ′peak-TC if the horizontal plane is considered the plane of maximum shear stress. Lastly, measured S-wave velocities at varying confinements are consistent with published correlations.

On reliability of inferring liquefied shear strengths from simple shear testing

A laboratory study was carried out to compare the behaviour of loose tailings under simple shear loading using a torsional shear hollow cylinder device (TSHC) and a direct simple shear (DSS) device, with a focus on shear strength at high strains. This work was carried out on tailings for which the critical state line (CSL) had already been defined, to enable the results to be examined in a critical state framework. The testing indicated that the shear strengths measured at high strains by the DSS apparatus were significantly higher than those measured by the TSHC under undrained simple shear loading conditions. The likely more uniform and ideal simple shear conditions developing within the TSHC, along with the better agreement of results obtained using this equipment with the expected behaviour based on the test initial states and tailings’ CSL suggest that for loose specimens the DSS may overestimate shear strength at high strains. This observation was confirmed by comparing the results of this study with other published data where both CSL and DSS test results were available. The important implications of this observation for the design and analysis of tailings storage facilities (TSFs) in the context of laboratory measurement of liquefied strengths are outlined.

Strain rate effect on static and dynamic behaviors of eastern Canada fine-grained soils

The assessment of the strain rate effect on the geotechnical properties of soils constitutes an important step toward a more accurate analysis of their response. This study presents the experimental results of monotonic and cyclic simple shear tests performed to examine the strain rate ([Formula: see text]) effect on the behavior of eastern Canada soils. Nine natural soils sampled from different locations in eastern Canada were used in this study. The tests were performed on a simple shear device using a strain-controlled mode. In addition to the obtained experimental results, published data in the literature were used to draw the conclusions of this study. Analysis of the data indicates that the undrained shear strength (τf) increases proportionally with the strain rate by approximately 6%–17% per log cycle of [Formula: see text]. The results also show that the secant shear modulus G increases with the strain rate, especially at large strain amplitudes. Moreover, the analysis of the data revealed that the extent of the strain rate effect seems to be correlated with the shear strain amplitude (γc) and plasticity index (Ip). A practical application of the outcomes on the backbone curves is given, illustrating the influence of Ipand γcon the effect of strain rate.

Analysis of the stress distribution in a laminar direct simple shear device and implications for test data interpretation

Direct simple shear (DSS) testing allows observation of load-deformation response under rotation of the major principal stress plane, which is descriptive of many actual field problems. While the simplicity of the test configuration makes its use popular in research and industry, key uncertainties still remain regarding the interpretation of the laboratory data. This study uses laboratory validated discrete element method (DEM) models to examine the stress transmission in laminar-type direct simple shear devices under drained constant effective stress conditions. The DEM models (comprised of spheres) closely replicate physical specimens of precision chrome steel ball bearings for which the properties (e.g., shape, surface friction, and stiffness) were measured directly. The DEM models were also validated using experimental tests, so that conclusions regarding the system response can be derived with confidence from the available DEM data. The testing program included both loose and dense specimens, allowing for a comparison of the influence of density on stress state which has not been examined in previous simple shear DEM studies. Differences were observed between vertical effective stresses and shear stresses derived from boundary measurements (as commonly carried out in experimental programs) and those derived from force measurements within the DEM specimens. The failure state of the material in simple shear was also examined through Mohr’s circles of stress. The evolution of stresses on both the horizontally and vertically oriented planes were considered so that established methods of direct simple shear interpretation could be critically assessed. For the loose specimens, the angle of shearing resistance can be confidently estimated considering the maximum shear stress acting on the horizontal plane, which is easily inferred from measurements of the shear force during the physical test. This was true considering both internal and boundary calculated stresses. This approach, however, is inaccurate for the dense specimens. Analysis of the particle-scale kinematics of the response illustrates that the deformation field within the central portion of the specimen is in simple shear, although the magnitude of this shearing was significantly larger than what was measured on the boundary. This study and the conclusions derived focus on smooth spherical particle specimens; the objective was to examine the stress distribution within DSS devices and the implications for test interpretation using DEM models that more closely matched the physical laboratory specimens tested than in previous studies. When considered alongside the existing studies, the findings show that there is no broad conclusion that can be applied for all materials and all conditions in simple shear and that interpretation should be carefully tied to the physical conditions simulated.

Methodology to Characterize the Seismic Compression of Unsaturated Sands under Different Drainage Conditions

Abstract This study focuses on a new experimental setup and methodology to characterize the volumetric contraction of unsaturated sands during cyclic shearing under different drainage conditions. A new cyclic simple shear device was developed with suction-saturation control using a hanging column suitable for testing unsaturated granular soils with a maximum suction of 11 kPa. The pore water and pore air pressures are monitored during cyclic shearing using an embedded tensiometer and a gauge pressure transducer protected by a hydrophobic filter, respectively. In addition to describing the specimen preparation techniques and testing methodology, typical results for the seismic compression of nearly saturated, dry, and unsaturated sand specimens during cyclic shearing under different drainage conditions are compared. The differences in the response of these sand specimens were interpreted using the changes in mean effective stress and secant shear modulus during cyclic shearing. In drained conditions, the unsaturated sand specimen showed lower seismic compressions than the dry sand specimen and the nearly saturated sand specimen. In undrained conditions, a greater contraction was observed for the unsaturated conditions due to decreases in mean effective stress and secant shear modulus. The decrease in effective stress occurred due to a decrease in matric suction associated with different rates of increase in pore water and air pressure and an increase in degree of saturation with volumetric contraction.

Experience of determining the parameters of the elastoviscoplastic soil model

Rheological studies of soils were carried out by S.S. Vyalov, M.N. Gol’dshtejn, N.N. Maslov, G.I. Ter-Stepanyan, S.R. Meschyan, A.L. Gol’din, Z.G. Ter-Martirosyan and many others. On the basis of existing rheological soil models, a new universal rheological equation was proposed in Ter-Martirosyan’s dissertation, which allows describing kinematic shear, creep and stress relaxation at the same parameters. Experimental studies of the soil were carried out in a simple shear device in a kinematic loading mode at a shear displacement rate u̇= 0.05 mm/min and at two values of compaction loads (σ1 < σ2). Based on the results of the experimental studies, the parameters of the elastoviscoplastic model were determined and graphs of the dependence of shear stresses on time were plotted, which clearly show the high convergence of the experimental and theoretical curves.

Effect of Different Modes of Lateral Boundary Constraints of the Direct Simple Shear (DSS) Device under Monotonic and Cyclic Shear Loading

Abstract The direct simple shear (DSS) device is commonly employed to characterize the shear behavior of soil while representing a plane strain condition. In DSS devices that use cylindrical specimens, the plane strain condition is mimicked by constraining the lateral boundaries of the specimen against radial deformations during consolidation and shear loading. The current test standard recommends using either wire-reinforced rubber membrane or unreinforced rubber membrane enclosed with stacked rigid rings as suitable modes of confinement to constrain the lateral boundaries of DSS test specimens. Only limited studies have been performed to assess the effects arising because of these different ways of lateral boundary constraints on the test results, particularly when DSS tests are conducted at relatively higher vertical effective confining stress (σ′v0) levels. An experimental program was undertaken to study the effect of lateral boundary constraint mode during constant-volume monotonic and cyclic DSS tests. The constant-volume tests were conducted on reconstituted cylindrical DSS specimens prepared from a natural silty soil under the following three modes of lateral boundary constraints: (a) steel wire–reinforced rubber membrane only (Mode 1); (b) steel wire–reinforced rubber membrane enclosed with a set of thin, low-friction stacked rigid rings (Mode 2); and (c) unreinforced rubber membrane enclosed with a set of thin, low-friction stacked rigid rings (Mode 3). The findings from these tests, conducted on specimens initially consolidated to σ′v0 level up to 900 kPa, indicate that there was no significant difference in the shear response derived from the three cases of lateral boundary constraints. This suggests that the commonly used approach of simply confining the DSS test specimen using steel wire–reinforced rubber membrane alone (i.e., Mode 1) would be effective and adequate for use in monotonic and cyclic direct simple shear testing, for σ′v0 ≤ 900 kPa.

A New Cyclic Simple Shear Test Procedure with Multidirectional Loading

Abstract This article presents a new procedure for cyclic simple shear tests with a change in the loading direction. For the experimental investigation of sand under drained condition, a conventional simple shear test device (unidirectional simple shear) was used. After modification of the specimen cell, the cell can rotate during the test, enabling the load direction to be changed. The construction of this modified version and its test procedure are explained in detail. This modification and test procedure can also be used for different simple shear devices of the same type. Furthermore, a test series involving Berlin sand was conducted with the direction of cyclic loading being changed once during each test. The test results indicate that a change in the cyclic direction has a significant influence on the accumulated deformation of sand.

Experience in determining viscosity of soil on the basis of experimental studies

Modern construction is developing at enormous speed, which leads to the need for more in-depth study of the physical and mechanical properties of soils in general, and clay soils in particular, in order to make rational use of their natural properties in the construction and design of foundations, foundations and soil structures. In this regard, recently, special attention has been paid to the study of the rheological properties of soils. One of the main rheological parameters of the soil is its viscosity. To determine the coefficient of viscosity of the soil in this study, a simple shear device was used. An artificially created sandy loam consisting of fine quartz sand (60% by weight) and clay particles (40% by weight) was adopted as the test soil. In the course of the study, characteristic graphs of the dependence of tangential stresses on shear deformation at different test speeds were obtained. Also, taking the Newton equation as a basis, the average value of the soil viscosity coefficient was determined for each shear rate.

Combination of water head control and axis translation techniques in new unsaturated cyclic simple shear tests

A cyclic simple shear device was modified for testing coarse-grained soils at unsaturated conditions. A combined methodology of controlling suction for the practical range of coarse-grained soil water retention curves was adopted. Water head control method was used to accurately control suction within capillary and transition zones of such soils. The axis translation technique, on the other hand, was employed as a complementary approach to reach higher suction values within residual zone. In order to evaluate the performance of the new setup, independent cyclic tests were carried out at various initial suctions including all key points and zones along the primary drying path. The analyses of cyclic stress-strain curves revealed an S-shaped trend of shear modulus against suction, where the peak occurs after residual suction. The merit and necessity of recent modifications were highlighted through comparing shear modulus obtained from constant-suction tests with that of constant-water content experiments.

Effects of initial suction and degree of saturation on dynamic properties of sand at large strain

Soil deposits may experience different hydraulic states in terms of suction (ψ) and degree of saturation (Sr) while subjected to large strain caused by dynamic loading during earthquakes. This phenomenon is investigated by considering the effects of initial ψ, initial Sr, sample preparation method, drainage condition, and cycle number (N) on dynamic properties. Shear modulus (G) and damping ratio (D) are specifically studied for an unsaturated sand using a modified cyclic simple shear device for all zones of soil water retention curve (SWRC). Results revealed the relative significance of both ψ and Sr in relation to SWRC on observed trends in G and D. Through analyzing some results from the literature, it was shown that most of the data follow a sigmoid function in the plane of normalized stiffness (G/Gsat) versus suction normalized to the air entry value. It was also revealed that minimum damping is not in conjugation with maximum stiffness due to the contribution of other mechanisms in damping like inter-particle water lubrication. Comparison between results of two testing methods indicated a notable influence of initial fabric on G. Furthermore, the overall trends in G and D against N are marginally influenced by initial ψ and Sr.

A direct simple shear device for static liquefaction triggering under constant shear drained loading

The development of a direct simple shear device to carry out constant shear drained (CSD) tests is outlined. The purpose of the device is to study static liquefaction instability triggered by a rising phreatic surface under principal stress directions representative of conditions below a slope. A series of tests on a laboratory-standard sand are outlined, indicating (a) brittle instability under a drained increasing phreatic surface, (b) a reasonable trend between the instability stress conditions and the sample density and (c) a general agreement between the qualitative behaviour seen in the new device and the previous CSD testing carried out on saturated samples under dead weight. The sensitivity of the instability stress conditions to sample density is emphasised.

Cyclic and dynamic behaviour of a Canadian sensitive clay

Clays with higher undisturbed undrained shear strengths than remoulded strengths are considered sensitive. While the stress-strain behaviour of these clays under monotonic loading condition was widely investigated, few data are available of their behaviour under cyclic and dynamic loading conditions. This paper presents the preliminary results of an experimental program on undisturbed samples of a sensitive clay retrieved at Saint Luc de Vincennes (Quebec). In particular, the paper shows the comparison among the modulus reduction curve, G/G0 - γ and the damping ratio variation with shear strain, D - γ measured using different devices, trying to highlight the main factors influencing the observed behaviour , including sample disturbance and storing method. The tests were carried out using one torsional shear and two different cyclic simple shear devices capable of investigating from small to large shear strains. The tests were carried out by three different laboratories at the Université de Sherbrooke, Canada, the University of Naples Federico II and the Sapienza University of Rome, Italy. Oedometric tests also performed by the three different research teams indicate that the clay samples were carefully shipped and stored, and the soil specimens were accurately prepared. Some differences were observed in the G/G0(γ) and D(γ) curves obtained by different tests, some of them ascribed to the intrinsic anisotropy of the investigated clay.