Identifier

etd-07072004-211420

Degree

Master of Science in Civil Engineering (MSCE)

Department

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

4-inch cubical sand specimens were been tested under drained conditions using a wide range of stress paths. The testing was performed by means of a true (cubical) triaxial device that has been conditioned for this study. This testing set-up consisted of a servo-controlled, single-boundary type apparatus, with six flexible membranes that create a center cavity surrounding the soil specimens. This thesis illustrates the functioning of the triaxial device, including detailed descriptions of the device components, sample preparation, and a practical application related to the mechanical characterization of granular materials using critical state soil mechanics. An experimental program, based on the above-described testing device, was created and implemented in order to calibrate a simple constitutive model (Cam Clay Model), and to compare the predictions of this model with the observed mechanical behavior of the selected material under triaxial state of stress. The results of the testing program for this study are typically presented in the Deviatoric Stress vs. Shear Strain Plane, and in the Triaxial Space. These results indicated that the testing program implemented for the calibration of the Cam Clay Model was successful in reproducing the general mechanical behavior of the granular material tested herein. General conclusions and recommendations for further research are included in at the end of this paper.

Date

2004

Document Availability at the Time of Submission

Release the entire work immediately for access worldwide.

Committee Chair

Emir J. Macari

DOI

10.31390/gradschool_theses.2750

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