Effects of particle shape and size distribution on the shear strength behavior of composite soils

The effects of particle shape and size distribution on the constitutive behavior of composite soils with a wide range of particle size were investigated. Two comparable sets of specimens were prepared: (1) mixtures of fines (clay and silt) and an ideal coarse fraction (glass sand and beads), and (2) mixtures of fines and natural coarse fraction (river sand and crushed granite gravels). Direct shear box testing was undertaken on 34 samples and the structure of the shear surfaces, change in volume and water content and the particle shape coefficient of the sheared specimens were examined. The results indicate that the contraction/dilation a specimen exhibits is restrained within the shear zone while the outer zones remain unchanged during shearing. An increased coarse fraction leads to an increase in constant volume shear strength. In addition, increasing elongation or decreasing convexity of the coarse fraction increases the constant volume friction angle. The overall roughness of the shear surface at constant volume state is negatively related to particle smoothness (convexity) and positively related to the area of the shear surface occupied by particles with particular shapes. Two equations are proposed for the estimation of constant volume friction angle based on the proportion and shape coefficient of the coarse fraction. It is hoped this will assist in considering the shear strength of mixed soils when the size of the coarse fraction makes laboratory testing difficult.