Capability and limitations in laboratory determination of stiffness parameters of soils

Abstract

Abstract The paper concerns laboratory methods for determination of soil stiffness. Major criterion for selection of analysed equipment is range of strain in which stiffness can be reliably determined. Substantially, various configurations of triaxial apparatus are referred to i.e. with standard cell and with the modified one. Additional system for internal measurement of strain is described and rational (based on test results) for use of it is presented. As to shear wave velocity measurement as a mean to obtain initial stiffness, requirements for proper measurement and interpretation was given. Finally, an approach to determine Poisson’s ratio on the basis of combined results of cyclic triaxial and resonant column tests was presented.