A Framework Interpreting Bender Element Tests, Combining Time-Domain and Frequency-Domain Methods

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2009

Authors

António Viana da Fonseca (Author) FEUP; Cristiana Ferreira (Author) Other; Martin Fahey (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Geotechnical Testing Journal

Vol. 32 No. 2

Pages: 91-107

ISSN: 0149-6115

Publisher: American Society for Testing and Materials

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 120 Citations

ISI Web of Science

Scopus - 138 Citations

INSPEC

COMPENDEX

Scientific classification

FOS: Engineering and technology > Environmental engineering

CORDIS: Technological sciences > Engineering > Civil engineering > Geotechnics

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-003-MSY

DOI: 10.1520/GTJ100974

Abstract (EN): Bender element (BE) testing is a powerful and increasingly common laboratory technique for determining the shear S-wave velocity of geomaterials. There are several advantages of BE testing, but there is no standard developed for the testing procedures or for the interpretation of the results. This leads to high degree of uncertainty and subjectivity in the interpretation. In this paper, the authors review the most common methods for the interpretation of BE tests, discuss some important technical requirements to minimize errors, and propose a practical framework for BE testing, based oil the comparison of different interpretation techniques in order to obtain the most reliable value for the travel time. This new procedure consist,, of the application of a methodical, systematic, and objective approach for the interpretation of the results, in the time and frequency domains. I he use of an automated tool enables unbiased information to be obtained regarding variations in the results to assist in the decision of the travel time. Two natural soils were tested: residual soil from Porto granite, and Toyoura sand. Specimens were subjected to the same isotropic stress conditions and the results obtained provided insights on the effects of soil type and confining stress on the interpretation of BE results; namely, the differences in testing dry versus saturated soils, and in testing uniform versus well-graded soils.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 17