Applicability of the concept of equivalent intergranular void ratio to sand-plastic fines mixtures below threshold fines content

Abstract

The technical note presents findings of an experimental study on the applicability of equivalent intergranular void ratio e*_eq concept in sand-plastic fines mixtures under monotonic and cyclic loading. The results of undrained triaxial tests conducted on mixtures of Hostun sand with varying amounts (0% to 20%) and types of plastic fines (kaolin and calcigel bentonite) were already presented in two previous studies. The e*_eq for the mixtures under various initial densities was calculated using the parameter b. Preliminary results show that the concept of e*_eq seems to hold valid in the e-p space considering monotonic tests as well as being able to capture the variation of the cyclic resistance ratio for a predefined number of cycles to initial liquefaction from cyclic undrained tests even in mixtures with plastic fines below threshold fines content. However, the need for further studies is duly acknowledged.

Keywords:

• Sand-fines mixtures
• plastic fines content
• undrained triaxial tests
• equivalent intergranular void ratio

Disclosure statement

No conflicting interests were declared by the authors.

Data availability statement

The data for the various triaxial tests used for the analysis are presented in two supplementary files attached with the submission.