Evaluation of effect of limited pore water pressure development on cyclic behavior of a nonplastic silt

Abstract

In this study, an experimental procedure was adopted to evaluate cyclic behavior of silts of pore water pressure ratios less than 50%. A commercially available nonplastic silt was used to eliminate the effects of plasticity. All the specimens were isotropically consolidated under 100 kPa and later subjected to cyclic triaxial compression tests. In this regard, dependence of cyclic stress ratio (CSR), initial relative density (Dr) and cyclic axial strain (εsa) on pore water pressure generation pattern – either at small or large deformation levels – were evaluated. It was inferred that, volume changes in silt due to the reconsolidation after cyclic loading with an induced pore water pressure ratio (Ru) less than 50% shows limited liquefaction.