Shear stiffness of granular material at small strains: does it depend on grain size?

• Published in: Géotechnique Vol. 63; no. 2; pp. 165 - 179
• Main Authors: YANG, J., GU, X.Q.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Telford 01.02.2013; ICE Publishing
• Subjects: Beads; Boundary element method; Confining; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics; Engineering geology; Exact sciences and technology; Granular materials; Laboratory tests; Mathematical analysis; Reinforced concrete; Sand & gravel; Shear stiffness; Shear strain; Shear stress; Spheres; Strain; Studies; strain; experimental studies; stress; shear; elasticity; testing; fine-grained materials; laboratory equipment; laboratory tests; stiffness; grains; grain size; dynamics; interpretation; granular materials; particles; laboratory studies

The shear stiffness of granular material at small strain levels is a subject of both theoretical and practical interest. This paper poses two fundamental questions that appear to be interrelated: (a) whether this stiffness property is dependent on particle size; and (b) whether the effect of testing...