Influence of Water on Resilient Properties of Coarse Granular Materials

ABSTRACT The objective of this work was to investigate influence of water on resilient properties of a coarse (maximum particle size 90 mm) granular material using various gradings. Triaxial testing, using large-size samples (diameter 500 mm and height 1000 mm) and constant confining pressures, was performed at varying water content up to practically full saturation. Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) was used to monitor transient in-sample water contents. Evaluation comprised resilient modulus and Poisson ratio in terms of total stresses, although the results were also discussed in the context of effective stresses. The coarsest grading experienced only a small reduction in resilient modulus when brought close to saturation, while specimens with an increased amount of fines and more even distribution responded with a substantial loss of resilient modulus upon increased water content. It also appeared that, as water content increased, the specimens became more dilative (increase in Poisson ratio).