Differences in the strength and deformation characteristics in plane strain compression between different batches of two sand types were critically evaluated. Two types of plane strain apparatuses were used. Large differences were observed between different batches of each type of sand, yet virtually no differences were found in particle physical properties including gradation, specific gravity, minimum and maximum void ratios, particle shape, and crushability. For each type of sand, differences in the measured peak strength between two types of plane strain tests were very small when effects of several possible influencing factors were accounted for. The prepeak dilatancy characteristics were noticeably different between the two types of plane strain tests, but the reason(s) could not be identified. The trend of inherent strength anisotropy was found to be very similar for the two plane strain apparatuses, but did depend on the sand type.

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