Modelling of the effect of scale on the compressibility parameters of fine-grained soils

• Published in: Geomechanics and geoengineering : an international journal Vol. 14; no. 4; pp. 262 - 270
• Main Authors: Rosine Larissa, Tepondjou Nguedia, Toma Sabbagh, Tahsin, Uzomah, Vincent C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis 02.10.2019
• Subjects: Compressibility; fine-grained soils; PLAXIS 2D; sample scale
• DOI: 10.1080/17486025.2019.1597282
• ISSN: 1748-6025

The effect of sample scale represents a challenge when obtaining engineering parameters in the laboratory compared to those obtained in the field. This study aimed at contributing to existing knowledge numerically using the finite element software PLAXIS 2D. The investigations were analysed in terms of height scale (HS) and diameter scale (DS) through a series of laboratory tests. Its effect on compressibility parameters such as coefficient of consolidation (c v ) was noted experimentally and showed that the sample scale greatly influences soil parameters most particularly at DS. The soil behaviour was found to be dependent on both DS and HS with a correlation factor of 0.650 and 0.062, respectively. The experimental data were validated in PLAXIS and a new proposed model was developed in PLAXIS 2D under the DS. The new proposed model developed was found to show no significant difference with the laboratory data.