Cyclic flow behavior of anisotropically consolidated sand with a small amount of fines

In practical engineering, the sand deposits or fills usually contains fine particles and their stress condition is generally anisotropic. This paper reports on an experimental study on the cyclic flow and liquefaction behavior of anisotropically consolidated sand with a small amount of fines. The results indicate that anisotropic consolidation can either reduce or enhance the soil's resistance to cyclic failure, depending on the (extensional) static stress level, which is closely related to the flow deformation type behavior. The responses are further compared to those of sand without fines at the same relative density condition. It is found that the addition of fines has an inhibiting effect on the cyclic flow deformation of the soil mixture, resulting in a higher and more rapid increase in cyclic resistance when the extensional static stress becomes larger. Furthermore, a particle-scale interpretation is presented to provide a better understanding of the distinct macro-observations associated with fines.