Correlations between Low and High Strain Stiffnesses of few Natural and Artificial Cohesive Soils

ABSTRACT: Piezoelectric ring actuator-oedometer setup (PRA) w as used to measure the shear w ave velocity (Vs) and hence the dynamic shear modulus (Gmax) of few natural/artificial cohesive soils at various applied pressures. The oedometric stiffness (from 1D consolidation data) w ere determined simultaneously w ith Vs measurements. The soils w ere subjected to isotropically consolidated undrained (CIU) triaxial tests to evaluate their undrained static stiffness at different confining pressures. Low stain stiffnesses obtained from PRA setup w ere correlated to the high strain stiffnesses obtained from oedometer and CIU tests. Some practical correlations (stiffness ratios) betw een low and high strain stiffnesses for the tested soils w ere proposed w hich can be used to estimate dynamic stiffness for similar soils.