Wave processes in determining mechanical characteristics of soils

Abstract

Mechanical characteristics of soils under dynamic and static loads are determined in laboratory conditions on special devices. Dynamic loads in the devices are initiated by an impact on a soil sample. Under the impact the waves are initiated in soil; they significantly affect the stressstrain state of soil samples placed in the device. Depending on the parameters of the impact load in the device, in different sections of soil sample there arise the stress-strain states, different in quality and quantity. Mechanical characteristics of soil, determined by this stress-strain state, also differ. The effect of stress-strain state of soil on its mechanical characteristics can be estimated theoretically. The initiation of the wave process and dynamic stress-strain state in soil sample placed in the device can be theoretically examined in detail. In this regard, the wave problem is set, which corresponds to the statement of experiments on the device of dynamic loading of soil. The law of soil strain is taken as an elasticviscoplastic one. Numerical solution of wave equations is obtained by the finite difference method. Based on the analysis of stress-strain state of soil in various sections, obtained by numerical calculations, the condition is derived under which the effect of wave processes on mechanical characteristics of soils is eliminated. This condition (formula) establishes the relationship between the wavelength, the velocity of wave propagation in soil, the thickness of the soil sample in the device and the duration of dynamic load.