Carmine P. Polito

Sep 26, 2024 | mdpi.com | Carmine P. Polito |James Martin |Erin D

1. IntroductionSoils consisting of mixtures of sand and non-plastic silt are commonly encountered in engineering practice. Depending on the relative proportions of sand and silt, the soil may behave as a sand or it may behave as a silt. If it behaves as a sand, it will exhibit higher shear strength and lower compressibility relative to the silt. Conversely, if it behaves as a silt, it will exhibit lower shear strength and higher compressibility relative to the sand.

Feb 29, 2024 | mdpi.com | Carmine P. Polito |James Martin

1. IntroductionWhen sand or non-plastic silt is subjected to cyclic loading without drainage, a change in pore water pressure occurs due to energy being dissipated in the soil during particle rearrangement. Because this change in pore pressure can lead to a loss of strength or even liquefaction of the soil, it is important for the engineer to have a clear understanding of the patterns of energy dissipation and pore pressure generation.

Oct 8, 2023 | mdpi.com | Carmine P. Polito |C. E. P

1. IntroductionThere are times when it is useful to be able to estimate the maximum and minimum index void ratios (emax and emin) for mixtures of sand and non-plastic silt at different silt contents. For example, one might want to perform a series of cyclic triaxial tests on specimens of sand and silt with different silt contents but want them all prepared to the same relative density.