Influence of mica content on shear strength, shear modulus, and damping response of micaceous sand

Abstract

In the current study, a series of unconsolidated undrained triaxial tests, consolidated undrained triaxial tests, bender element tests, and cyclic triaxial tests were performed on micaceous sand specimens at different mica contents (0 to 30%). All the specimens were prepared at 95% maximum dry density of their respective mica-sand combinations to simulate the soil mass conditions in railway/road embankments. The experimental results showed a large reduction in the angle of internal friction as mica content increased from 0 to 30% in unconsolidated undrained tests (total stress). Consolidated undrained triaxial testing reported the decrease in shear strength with the increase in mica content (effective stress). A large decrease in shear modulus was observed with the increase in mica content from 0 to 30% in cyclic triaxial testing. The damping ratio increased with the increase in mica content. The small strain shear modulus obtained from bender element tests showed a significant decrease with the increase in mica content.