Effect of different pore fluids on the dynamic behavior of transparent sand

Abstract

Fused quartz and a suitable pore fluid with the same degree of refractive index are widely used to manufacture the transparent sand, which can be used to emulate the behavior of saturated natural sands in visualization model tests. Based on previous research, the static properties of transparent sand are comparable to those of natural sands, but whether the dynamic characteristics of transparent sand made from fused quartz with different pore fluids are similar to those of natural sand has not been proved so far. In the paper, dynamic behavior (undrained cyclic behavior, liquefaction resistance, and flow characteristics) of fused quartz sand and natural soils of the same grade at four different pore fluids are compared through undrained cyclic triaxial experiments. Findings indicate that dynamic characteristics of transparent sand are significantly influenced by pore fluids, and the dynamic behavior of transparent soil made from fused quartz and mixed oil exhibits similar dynamic properties to natural soils.