Record Details
Geotechnical characterization and drained shear strength of a limestone aggregate
ScholarsArchive at Oregon State University
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Title | Geotechnical characterization and drained shear strength of a limestone aggregate |
| Names |
Knierim, Christina D.
(creator) Stuedlein, Armin (advisor) |
| Date Issued | 2014-12-05 (iso8601) |
| Note | Honors Bachelor of Science (HBS) |
| Abstract | Aggregate piers are a method of ground improvement used to increase the strength and bearing capacity of the native geological soils for the support of new civil infrastructure. The understanding of the bearing failure mechanism of aggregate piers remains largely unstudied. The effects of design variables in the failure mechanisms are not fully understood. This study determined the geotechnical characterization and drained shear strength of a limestone aggregate of specific gradation commonly used for the construction of aggregate piers. The index properties and drained shear strength parameters were found using consolidated drained, axisymmetric triaxial testing. Five confining stresses were chosen to model the stresses an aggregate pier would be subjected to in situ and at a given depth. Dilation occurred at most of the confining stresses but decreased in magnitude with increased confining stresses until no dilative behavior occurred at the highest confining stress. The specimens all demonstrated strain softening behavior without a distinctive peak and a gradual decrease in principal stress difference after failure. The friction angle did not vary significantly within a large range of relative densities. Small differences were observed between the peak and residual friction angles, with the difference decreasing at higher confining pressures. |
| Genre | Thesis |
| Topic | Triaxial test |
| Identifier | http://hdl.handle.net/1957/54548 |
