Effects of Imperfect Simple Shear Test Boundary Conditions on Monotonic and Cyclic Measurements in Sand

AbstractThe direct simple shear (DSS) test is commonly used to assess the shear strength of soil, estimate liquefaction resistance, or calibrate constitutive models under the assumption of idealized simple shear conditions even though this may not be necessarily achieved in the test. Near-frictionle...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of geotechnical and geoenvironmental engineering 2022-01, Vol.148 (1)
Main Authors: Wai, Daniel, Manmatharajan, Mathan V, Ghafghazi, Mason
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Boundaries
Boundary conditions
Constitutive models
Liquefaction
Mathematical models
Shear strain
Shear strength
Shear stress
Shear tests
Simple shear tests
Soil resistance
Soil strength
Technical Papers
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Summary:AbstractThe direct simple shear (DSS) test is commonly used to assess the shear strength of soil, estimate liquefaction resistance, or calibrate constitutive models under the assumption of idealized simple shear conditions even though this may not be necessarily achieved in the test. Near-frictionless vertical boundaries cannot develop the complementary shear stresses necessary for equilibrium. Difficulties in maintaining constant height during equivalent-undrained tests may violate the constant volume assumption. The cap holding the top of the specimen may tilt during shear, violating the assumed perfect simple shear strain conditions. These boundary effects on constant-volume monotonic and cyclic DSS test results were parametrically studied by simulating a DSS device using an advanced plasticity model. For practical purposes, near-frictionless vertical boundaries can be used to approximate simple shear conditions, and the effect of top-cap tilting is negligible in well-designed devices. However, vertical compliance can greatly affect the stress-strain response.
ISSN:1090-0241
1943-5606
DOI:10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0002682