SATURATION EFFECTS ON THE CYCLIC STRENGTH OF SANDS

The effect of the degree of saturation on the cyclic response of compacted specimens of Monterey No. 20-30 sand was investigated using cyclic triaxial test methods. Standard stress controlled cyclic triaxial tests were conducted on specimens exhibiting a high degree of saturation, and cyclic triaxial tests with pulsating axial and lateral pressures were performed on samples at lower degrees of saturation. Specimens were tested at two relative densities and at varying degrees of saturation. Test results indicate that degrees of saturation in excess of 99.0% for both loosely and densely compacted specimens must be achieved before liquefaction occurs in less than 1000 cycles of loading for any stress ratio studied. Typical results which define pore pressure response and double amplitude axial strain versus the logarithm of the number of cycles of load application for various stress ratios, are presented. These results show that the number of cycles to achieve a specified strain at a constant cyclic stress ratio increase with decreasing B values. A linear relationship was observed for both loose and dense specimens when B values were plotted as a function of the logarithm of the number of cycles of load application to achieve 5 percent double amplitude strain for both loose and dense samples. Results also indicate that low B-values had a greater affect on the cyclic strength of soils under a low cyclic stress ratio than under a high cyclic stress ratio for both loose and densely compacted sands. Results from this study are shown to agree qualitatively with data previously presented by Rocker (1968). In addition, results are also explained in a qualitative manner by the liquefaction concepts developed by Martin, et. al. (1975). /Author/

• Supplemental Notes:
  • From Volume I of Earthquake Engineering and Soil Dynamics--Proceedings of the ASCE Geotechnical Engineering Division Specialty Conference, June 19-21, 1978, Pasadena, California. Sponsored by Geotechnical Engineering Division of ASCE in cooperation with: ASCE Technical Council on Lifeline Earthquake Engineering, ASCE Los Angeles Section of their Geotechnical Engineering Group, Earthquake Engineering Research Institute, Soil and Foundation Engineers Association, Structural Engineers Association of Southern California, U.C.L.A. College of Engineering, University of Southern California, and California Institute of Technology.
• Corporate Authors:

  American Society of Civil Engineers

  345 East 47th Street
  New York, NY  United States  10017-2398
• Authors:
  • CHANEY, R C
• Conference:
  • From Volume I of Earthquake Engineering and Soil Dynamics--Proceedings of the ASCE Geotechnical Engineering Division Specialty Conference, June 19-21, 1978, Pasadena, California. Sponsored by Geotechnical Engineering Division of ASCE in cooperation with:
• Publication Date: 1978-6

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 342-358

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Compaction; Density; Liquefaction; Percent saturation; Pore pressure; Properties of materials; Sand; Soils; Strain (Mechanics); Strength of materials; Triaxial shear tests
• Old TRIS Terms: Soil characteristics; Strains
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways; Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00179754
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: Proceeding
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 12 1978 12:00AM