Cyclic Triaxial Strength of Standard Test Sand

Abstract

A cooperative cyclic triaxial strength test program was performed by eight university, government, and consulting laboratories to define the cyclic strength characteristics often called the liquefaction potential or cyclic mobility of a standard test sand. Other laboratories may check the adequacy of their cyclic triaxial test equipment and testing procedures by duplicating the results of these tests. It was found that a good degree of agreement for cyclic soil strength values could only be achieved among different laboratories when proper attention was given to the following testing details: (1) Great care must be taken in measuring specimen dimensions and weight to accurately calculate specimen dry weight; (2) tested specimen dry weights must be within 0.5 pcf (8 kg/m²) of the specified value; (3) specimen preparation techniques must not deviate from the specified method; and (4) a smooth periodic loading wave form, such as a sine wave, should be used for testing.