On the influence of the grain size distribution curve on P-wave velocity, constrained elastic modulus M max and Poisson's ratio of quartz sands

Abstract: The paper presents an experimental study on the influence of the grain size distribution curve on dynamic soil properties. More than 160 resonant column tests with additional P-wave measurements have been performed on 27 different grain size distribution curves of a quartz sand. While the small-strain shear modulus G max has been discussed by Wichtmann and Triantafyllidis the present paper focusses on P-wave velocity v P , on the small-strain constrained elastic modulus M max and on Poisson''s ratio . It is demonstrated that while v P and M max do not significantly depend on mean grain size d 50 in the investigated range, they decrease with increasing coefficient of uniformity C u =d 60/d 10 of the grain size distribution curve. Poisson''s ratio does also not depend on d 50 but increases with increasing C u . An empirical formula similar to Hardin''s equation has been developed for M max, considering the influence of the grain size distribution curve. It predicts quite well the experimental data. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]