A LARGE SCALE RESONANT COLUMN TESTING SYSTEM FOR EVALUATING DYNAMIC PROPERTIES OF GRAVELLY FILL MATERIALS OF DAMS

摘要

This article introduces a large scale resonant column testing apparatus to evaluate smallstrainshear modulus, damping ratio, and the modulus reduction curve corresponding toshear strain level of gravelly soils. These key parameters are important for the seismicanalysis of geotechnical systems such as earth embankment dams and the main purposeof this new testing system is focusing on the characterization of gravelly fill materials fordam construction. Detailed configurations of the fixed-free Stokoe type resonant columntesting apparatus which can test 200mm in diameter specimen are introduced, and thesystem was calibrated. A series of tests for gravelly fill material have been conducted onlarge scale specimens 200mm in diameter and 400mm in height. The result andapplicability of this testing apparatus to evaluate dynamic properties of gravelly fillmaterials is addressed. Finally, the applicability of this new system is discussed.