Shear wave velocity in granular soil considering effects of inherent and stress-induced anisotropy

The aim of this research was to explain the effects of relative density, mean effective stress, grading characteristics, consolidation stress ratio and initial fabric anisotropy produced during specimen preparation on shear wave velocity (V-s). It is shown that the V-s of the consolidated specimens under anisotropic compression stress is greater than that of the consolidated specimens under isotropic or anisotropic extension stress states at a given relative density and effective confining stress. It is also shown that the depositional technique that was used to create reconstituted specimens has important effect on the V-s. A parallel comparison of measured values from the resonant column and bender element tests is also presented. These results of the tests have been employed to develop a generalized relationship for predicting V-s of granular soils. The V-s model is validated using data collected from literatures. Based on the results, it can be conducted that the proposed model has a good performance and is capable of evaluating the V-s of granular soil.