Estimation of the Local Void Ratios of Compacted Sands

In this study, the variation of local void ratio in granular soils is investigated within an experimental study. In this regard, 2D local void ratios of sands compacted under three energy levels and corresponding optimum water contents are determined via image analyses performed on images obtained from certain cross-sections. Afterwards, it was investigated whether the variation of the void ratios in horizontal and vertical direction is proper or not. Moreover, the effect of particle shape on the variation of the local void ratio is scrutinized by employing statistical analyses on these parameters. Although it is inferred that increasing particle angularity results denser structures, a mathematical expression identifying the relationship between particle shape parameters and relative densities or void ratios is not obtained. As a consequence, multiple variable linear and nonlinear regression equations are employed to obtain the local void ratios at certain points in terms of a number of particle shape parameters, compaction energy level and global void ratio.