Standard Test Methods for the Determination of the Modulus and Damping Properties of Soils Using the Cyclic Triaxial Apparatus

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The cyclic triaxial modulus and damping test provides parameters that may be considered for use in dynamic, linear and non-linear analytical methods. These test methods are used for the performance evaluation of both natural and engineered structures under dynamic of cyclic loads such as caused by earthquakes, ocean wave, or blast.
One of the primary purposes of these test methods is to obtain data that are used to calculate Young’modulus.
Note 1—The quality of the result produced by this standard is dependent on the competence of the personnel performing it, and the suitability of the equipment and facilities used. Agencies that meet the criteria of Practice D 3740 are generally considered capable of competent and objective testing/sampling/inspection/etc. Users of this standard are cautioned that compliance with Practice D 3740 does not in itself assure reliable results. Reliable results depend on many factors; Practice D 3740 provides a means of evaluating some of those factors.
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of the modulus and damping properties of soils in either undisturbed or reconstituted states by either load or stroke controlled cyclic triaxial techniques.
1.2 The cyclic triaxial properties of soil are evaluated relative to a number of factors including: strain level, density, number of cycles, material type, saturation, and effective stress.
1.3 These test methods are applicable to both fine-grained and coarse-grained soils as defined by the unified soil classification system or by Classification D 2487. Test specimens may be undisturbed or reconstituted by compaction in the laboratory.
1.4 Two test methods are provided for using a cyclic loader to determine Young's modulus (E) and damping (D) properties. The first test method (A) permits the determination of E and D using a constant load apparatus. The second test method (B) permits the determination of E and D using a constant stroke apparatus. The test methods are as follows:
1.4.1 Test Method AThis test method requires the application of a constant cyclic load to the test specimen. It is used for determining the Young's modulus and damping under a constant load condition.
1.4.2 Test Method BThis test method requires the application of a constant cyclic deformation to the test specimen. It is used for determining the Young's modulus and damping under a constant stroke condition.
1.5 The development of relationships to aid in interpreting and evaluating test results are left to the engineer or office requesting the test.
1.6 LimitationsThere are certain limitations inherent in using cyclic triaxial tests to simulate the stress and strain conditions of a soil element in the field during an earthquake.
1.6.1 Nonuniform stress conditions within the test specimen are imposed by the specimen end platens.
1.6.2 A 90 change in the direction of the major principal stress occurs during the two halves of the loading cycle on isotropically confined specimens and at certain levels of cyclic stress application on anisotropically confined specimens.
1.6.3 The maximum cyclic axial stress that can be applied to a saturated specimen is controlled by the stress conditions at the end of confining stress application and the pore-water pressures generated during testing. For an isotropically confined specimen tested in cyclic compression, the maximum cyclic axial stress that can be applied to the specimen is equal to the effective confining pressure. Since cohesionless soils are not capable of taking tension, cyclic axial stresses greater than this value tend to lift the top platen from the soil specimen. Also, as the pore-water pressure increases during tests performed on isotropically confined specimens, the effective confining pressure is reduced, contributing to the tendency of the specimen to neck during the extension portion of the load cycle, invalidating test results beyond that point.
1.6.4 While it is ...

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ASTM D3999-91(2003) - Standard Test Methods for the Determination of the Modulus and Damping Properties of Soils Using the Cyclic Triaxial Apparatus
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: D3999 – 91 (Reapproved 2003)
Standard Test Methods for
the Determination of the Modulus and Damping Properties
1
of Soils Using the Cyclic Triaxial Apparatus
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3999; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 1.6.1 Nonuniformstressconditionswithinthetestspecimen
are imposed by the specimen end platens.
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of the
1.6.2 A90° change in the direction of the major principal
modulus and damping properties of soils in either undisturbed
stress occurs during the two halves of the loading cycle on
orreconstitutedstatesbyeitherloadorstrokecontrolledcyclic
isotropically confined specimens and at certain levels of cyclic
triaxial techniques.
stress application on anisotropically confined specimens.
1.2 The cyclic triaxial properties of soil are evaluated
1.6.3 Themaximumcyclicaxialstressthatcanbeappliedto
relative to a number of factors including: strain level, density,
a saturated specimen is controlled by the stress conditions at
numberofcycles,materialtype,saturation,andeffectivestress.
the end of confining stress application and the pore-water
1.3 These test methods are applicable to both fine-grained
pressures generated during testing. For an isotropically con-
and coarse-grained soils as defined by the unified soil classi-
fined specimen tested in cyclic compression, the maximum
fication system or by Classification D2487. Test specimens
cyclic axial stress that can be applied to the specimen is equal
may be undisturbed or reconstituted by compaction in the
to the effective confining pressure. Since cohesionless soils are
laboratory.
not capable of taking tension, cyclic axial stresses greater than
1.4 Two test methods are provided for using a cyclic loader
this value tend to lift the top platen from the soil specimen.
todetermineYoung’smodulus(E)anddamping(D)properties.
Also, as the pore-water pressure increases during tests per-
The first test method (A) permits the determination of E and D
formed on isotropically confined specimens, the effective
using a constant load apparatus. The second test method (B)
confining pressure is reduced, contributing to the tendency of
permits the determination of E and D using a constant stroke
the specimen to neck during the extension portion of the load
apparatus. The test methods are as follows:
cycle, invalidating test results beyond that point.
1.4.1 Test Method A—This test method requires the appli-
1.6.4 While it is advised that the best possible undisturbed
cation of a constant cyclic load to the test specimen. It is used
specimens be obtained for cyclic testing, it is sometimes
for determining the Young’s modulus and damping under a
necessarytoreconstitutesoilspecimens.Ithasbeenshownthat
constant load condition.
different methods of reconstituting specimens to the same
1.4.2 Test Method B—This test method requires the appli-
density may result in significantly different cyclic behavior.
cation of a constant cyclic deformation to the test specimen. It
Also, undisturbed specimens will almost always be stronger
is used for determining the Young’s modulus and damping
than reconstituted specimens of the same density.
under a constant stroke condition.
1.6.5 Theinteractionbetweenthespecimen,membrane,and
1.5 The development of relationships to aid in interpreting
confining fluid has an influence on cyclic behavior. Membrane
and evaluating test results are left to the engineer or office
compliance effects cannot be readily accounted for in the test
requesting the test.
procedure or in interpretation of test results. Changes in
1.6 Limitations—There are certain limitations inherent in
pore-water pressure can cause changes in membrane penetra-
using cyclic triaxial tests to simulate the stress and strain
tion in specimens of cohesionless soils. These changes can
conditions of a soil element in the field during an earthquake.
significantly influence the test results.
1.6.6 Despite these limitations, with due consideration for
1
ThesetestmethodsareunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD18onSoil
the factors affecting test results, carefully conducted cyclic
and Rock and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.09 on Dynamic
triaxial tests can provide data on the cyclic behavior of soils
Properties of Soils.
Current edition approved August 15, 1991. Published October 1991. DOI:
10.1520/D3999-91R03.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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