50th INDIAN GEOTECHNICAL CONFERENCE

50th
IGC
17th – 19th DECEMBER 2015, Pune, Maharashtra, India
Venue: College of Engineering (Estd. 1854), Pune, India

EFFECT OF CONFINING PRESSURE, RELATIVE DENSITY AND SHEAR STRAIN

ON THE POISSON’S RATIO OF CLEAN SAND

Troyee Tanu Dutta1, Sireesh Saride2

ABSTRACT

In comparison to other dynamic properties of soil, Poisson’s ratio is mostly considered as an elastic
constant. The effect of different parameters on the Poisson’s ratio of soil is neglected in most of the
available literature. Proper estimation of the Poisson’s ratio is required as it signifies the stress and
deformation characteristics of the soil. In this study a series of resonant column tests were performed to
determine the variation of Poisson’s ratio with confining pressure, relative density and shear strain.

Clean sand free from fines content was used in this study. The tests were performed on sand sample of
size 50  100 mm compacted at relative densities of 30%, 50% and 75%. The sample preparation was
done by using a split mold. By using a funnel, the sand was gently poured into the split mold. Then each
layer was compacted by means of a tamping rod which weighs 150 g. The sample preparation was done
in 5 equal thick layers. By performing few trial sample preparations, the number of blows required per
layer for a desired relative density was determined. A fixed free type of resonant column was used in this
study. By performing the resonant column test in torsional mode as well as flexural mode of excitation, it
is possible to estimate the Poisson’s ratio of the soil. The confining pressure was varied from 100 kPa to
800 kPa. The shear strain varied from 10-4 % to 10-1 %.

Figure 1 gives the variation of Poisson’s ratio with confining pressure for various relative densities. From
the figure it is observed that there is a continuous decrease in Poisson’s ratio of the soil with an increase
in the confining pressure as well as relative density. The percentage reduction in Poisson’s ratio obtained
for the soil subjected to a confining pressure of 800 kPa as compared to soil subjected to 100 kPa
confining pressure is 19 %, 21 % and 22% for 30 %, 50 %, 75 % relative densities of the soil. In addition,
the percentages reduction in Poisson’s ratio of sand prepared at 75 % relative density as compare to 30 %
relative density are 14 %, 15.7 %, 16.7 % and 17.6 % for sand subjected to 100 kPa, 400 kPa, 600 kPa
and 800 kPa respectively. It can be concluded that the percentage reduction in Poisson’s ratio increases
with the increase in confining pressure as well as relative density.

1
Master Student, Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Hyderabad, India,
[email protected]
2
Associate Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Hyderabad, India,
[email protected]
Troyee Tanu Dutta & Sireesh Saride
0.25

RD = 30 %
RD = 50 %
0.2
RD = 75 %

Poisson's ratio,  0.15

0.1

0.05

0
0 200 400 600 800 1000
Confining presssure, 3 (kPa)

Fig. 1 Variation of Poisson’s Ratio with confining pressure

Figure 2 gives the variation of Poisson’s ratio with confining pressure for different shear strain values. It
is observed that Poisson’s ratio increases with increase in shear strain. This increase is found to be less for
lower values of shear strain. For shear strains higher than 0.025 % there is a tremendous increase in
Poisson’s ratio of the soil. It is also seen that the percentage reduction in Poisson’s ratio with confining
pressure is higher for higher values of shear strain.
0.5

0.4
Poisson's ratio, 

0.3

0.2

RD = 30 %
Shear strain = 0.0001 %
0.1
Shear strain = 0.0014 %
Shear strain = 0.025 %
Shear strain = 0.1 %
0
0 200 400 600 800
Confining pressure, 3 (kPa)
Fig. 2 Variation of Poisson’s ratio with confining pressure for various shear strain

Keywords: Poisson’s ratio, resonant column test, clean sands, shear strain
 50th INDIAN GEOTECHNICAL CONFERENCE

50th
IGC
17th – 19th DECEMBER 2015, Pune, Maharashtra, India
Venue: College of Engineering (Estd. 1854), Pune, India

EFFECT OF CONFINING PRESSURE, RELATIVE DENSITY AND SHEAR

STRAIN ON THE POISSON’S RATIO OF CLEAN SAND

Troyee Tanu Dutta, Master’s Student, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, [email protected]
Sireesh Saride, Associate Professor, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, [email protected]

ABSTRACT: In comparison to other dynamic properties of soil, Poisson’s ratio is mostly considered as an
elastic constant. The effect of different parameters on the Poisson’s ratio of soil is neglected in most of
the available literatures. In this study a series of resonant column tests were performed to determine the
variation of Poisson’s ratio with confining pressure, relative density and shear strain. It is observed that
there is continuous decrease in Poisson’s ratio of the soil with increase in confining pressure as well as
relative density. However with the increase in shear strain there is increase in the Poisson’s ratio of the
soil.

INTRODUCTION in confining pressure and increases with the

In the past few decades an extensive amount of increase in void ratio of the soil. Kumar and
research has been undertaken to determine the Madhusudhan [11] by performing bender and
dynamic properties of soil. Numerous tests are extender element tests on sands of various grain
available for determining the dynamic properties of sizes stated that Poisson’s ratio invariably
the soil which includes both laboratory and field decreases with the increase in confining pressure as
tests. The dynamic properties which are given due well as relative density and this decrease is found
consideration are the shear modulus and damping to be more for fine grained soil as compared to
ratio of the soil. Resonant column test is usually coarse grained. Gu et al. [12] by performing bender
performed to determine the dynamic properties of element tests on sand inferred that Poisson’s ratio
the soil. The testing procedure and data acquisition increases with the increase in void ratio and
has been dealt in numerous studies performed so decreases with the increase in confining pressure.
far [1, 2]. Dynamic properties of soils are Sas et al. [13] by performing resonant column test
dependent on lot of factors. For sands, the on clayey sand observed that Poisson’s ratio
important factors which govern the dynamic decreases with increase in shear wave velocity and
properties of soil are confining pressure, shear increases with increase in shear strain. In this study
strain and relative density of the soil [3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 an attempt has been made to find the variation of
and 9]. However limited research has been Poisson’s ratio with confining pressure, relative
available on the determination of Poisson’s ratio of density and shear strain of the soil.
soil [10, 11, 12, and 13]. Proper estimation of the
Poisson’s ratio is of paramount importance as it MATERIAL PROPERTIES
signifies the stress and deformation characteristics The sand used in this study is clean sand free from
of the soil. By performing the resonant column test fines content. The sand is properly washed to
in both torsional and flexural mode of excitation it remove any fines content passing 75 micron sieve
is possible to estimate the Poisson’s ratio of the present in the sand. The grain size distribution,
soil. Cascante et al. [14] had shown the data maximum and minimum void ratio and specific
reduction for the flexural mode of excitation. gravity tests were performed on the sand. The grain
Kokusho [10] by performing series of cyclic size distribution curve of the sand is shown in
triaxial tests on Toyoura sand concluded that figure 1. The material properties of the sand are
Poisson’s ratio of the soil decreases with increase given in table 1. The sand is classified as poorly
Troyee Tanu Dutta & Sireesh Saride

graded sand with letter symbol SP according to the mould. By applying a constant vacuum, the
unified soil classification system (USCS). entrapped air between the mould and the
membrane is removed so that the membrane sticks
100
onto the mould. The sand is gently poured into the
mold by means of a funnel. Then each layer is
80
tamped by using a tamping rod which weighs
150 g. Preparation of the sample is done in five
equal layers. By performing a few trial sample
Percentage finer

60 preparations, the number of blows required for

each layer is obtained. The specimens were
prepared at 30 %, 50 % and 75 % relative densities.
40
To ensure same relative density throughout the test,
the dimension of the specimen is measured once
20 before and once after the test.

RESONANT COLUMN APPARATUS

0
A GDS make fixed free type of resonant column
0.01 0.1 1 10
Grain size (mm) apparatus was used in the study. In this apparatus,
Fig. 1 Grain size distribution curve for sand the bottom of the specimen is fixed to the pedestal
while the top surface is left free. Resonant column
Table 1 Basic Properties of sand [15] apparatus can be used to perform tests under both
Property Value torsional and flexural modes of excitation by using
an electromagnetic drive system. The drive system
2.63 consists of four electromagnets. For performing the
Specific gravity, Gs
test in both torsional as well as flexural mode, four
Maximum dry density (  d max ): kN/m3 15.84 electromagnets were used in two different
directions. During the torsional mode the four pair
Minimum dry density (  d min ): kN/m3 13.98 of magnets work in series which apply a net torque
to the soil specimen. For applying the flexural
Maximum void ratio ( e max ) 0.88 mode only two pair of magnetic coils work to
apply a net horizontal force at the top of the
Minimum void ratio ( e min ) 0.66
specimen. A frequency sweep is performed to
0.47
obtain the resonant frequency of the soil specimen.
D10 : mm
Initially a low value of frequency is applied. After
Coefficient of uniformity, Cu 2.55 that the frequency is gradually increased. The
frequency at which it shows a peak value of
Coefficient of curvature, Cc 0.87 amplitude gives the resonant frequency of the
specimen.
Degree of roundness of particle Angular
Determination of shear wave velocity
Shear wave velocity, Vs can be determined from
SPECIMEN PREPARATION the resonant frequency obtained from the torsional
The preparation of sand specimen was done in the mode of excitation.
resonant column apparatus itself. A rubber 2 fL
membrane is fixed to the bottom pedestal using a Vs  (1)

set of O-rings. A split moult is placed outside the
rubber membrane. The top part of the rubber
membrane is stretched and rolled over the split
 50th INDIAN GEOTECHNICAL CONFERENCE

50th
IGC
17th – 19th DECEMBER 2015, Pune, Maharashtra, India
Venue: College of Engineering (Estd. 1854), Pune, India

where, f = resonant frequency (Hz); L = length of Now the Poisson’s ratio is determined using:
the specimen;  = a factor that can be obtained 1 VLF2
from equation (2).  1 (6)
2 Vs2
I
  .tan    (2) Where, VLF = longitudinal wave velocity which can
Io
be calculated using equation (7).
where, I = mass polar moment of inertia of the soil Vs = shear wave velocity calculated using equation
specimen; and Io = mass polar moment of inertia (1).
of the electromagnetic drive system.
The mass polar moment of inertia of the VLF E
electromagnetic drive system is determined

 (7)

experimentally through a calibration procedure due where, E = Young’s modulus of the soil specimen
to its complex geometry. determined using equation (3);  = density of the
soil specimen.
Determination of Poisson’s ratio
For determining the Poisson’s ratio of the soil RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
sample, resonant column tests has to be performed The Poisson’s ratio of soil is significantly
in both torsional and flexural modes of excitation. influenced by the increase in confining pressure
Cascante et al. (1996) gave the circular resonant and relative density. Figures 1 and 2 give the
frequency for a soil specimen of length L by using variation of Poisson’s ratio with increase in
Rayleigh’s method and considering N distributed confining pressure and relative density of the sand
mass mi as: respectively. It is seen that Poisson’s ratio
3EIb decreases with the increase in confining pressure as
 2f  (3) well as relative density. The percentages reduction
3  33 
n
L  mT   mi h(h0i,h1i)  in Poisson’s ratio obtained for the soil subjected to
140 i 1
 a confining pressure of 800 kPa as compared to
 2 soil subjected to 100 kPa confining pressure are 19
  h12  h1ih0i  h02   (4)
( h1i  h0i ) 3  
h(h0i, h1i)  mi 1  3   i i 
 
%, 21 % and 22% for 30 %, 50 %, 75 % relative
 2L 4 L 
    densities of the soil. Figures 4, 5, and 6 give the
 
variation of Poisson’s ratio with confining
where, h0i and h1i are the heights at the bottom and
pressures for different values of shear strain. It is
top respectively, of mass i , measured from the top observed that with the increase in shear strain,
of the soil specimen;  f = circular resonant Poisson’s ratio of the soil specimen increases. This
frequency in flexural mode; E = Young’s modulus increase in Poisson’s ratio is very less from shear
of the soil specimen; I = area moment of inertia; strains 0.0001 % to 0.014 %. However with further
mT = mass of the soil specimen. increase in shear strain there is considerable
Equation (4) can also be expressed in terms of increase in the Poisson’s ratio of the soil. It is
centre of gravity, yci and area moment of inertia, observed that there is tremendous increase in
with respect to centre of gravity, Iyi of each mass, Poisson’s ratio of the soil from shear strains 0.025
mi . % to 0.1 %. Moreover, it is also seen that the
reduction of Poisson’s ratio with confining
3 yci 9  Iyi 
h( yci, Iyi )  1   2   yci2  (5) pressure is very high for higher values of shear
L 4 L  mi  strain. The percentages reduction in Poisson’s ratio
Due to complex geometry, area moment of inertia of soil subjected to 800 kPa confining pressure as
Iy for the drive system is determined compared to soils subjected to 100 kPa and
experimentally. prepared at 30 % relative density are 19 %, 21.7 %,
Troyee Tanu Dutta & Sireesh Saride
0.5
22.2 % and 26.1 % for 0.0001 %, 0.0014, 0.025 %
and 0.1 % respectively. Similar observation was
made for sands prepared at 50 % and 75 % relative
0.4
densities as well.
0.25

Poisson's ratio, 
0.3
RD = 30 %
RD = 50 %
0.2
RD = 75 %
0.2
Poisson's ratio, 

0.15 RD = 30 %
Shear strain = 0.0001 %
0.1
Shear strain = 0.0014 %
Shear strain = 0.025 %
0.1
Shear strain = 0.1 %
0
0 200 400 600 800
0.05 Confining pressure, 3 (kPa)
Fig. 4 Variation of Poisson’s ratio with confining
pressure for various shear strain for RD= 30 %
0
0 200 400 600 800 1000 0.5
Confining presssure, 3 (kPa)

Fig. 2 Variation of Poisson’s Ratio with confining 0.4

pressure
Poisson's ratio, 

0.3
0.3
3 = 100 kPa
3 = 400 kPa
3 = 600 kPa
0.2
3 = 800 kPa
0.2
Poisson's ratio, 

RD = 50 %
0.1
Shear strain = 0.0001 %
Shear strain = 0.0014 %
Shear strain = 0.025 %
Shear strain = 0.1 %
0.1 0
0 200 400 600 800
Confining pressure, 3 (kPa)
Fig. 5 Variation of Poisson’s ratio with confining
pressure for various shear strain for RD= 50 %
0
0 20 40 60 80 100
Relative density, RD (%)
Fig. 3 Variation of Poisson’s ratio with relative
density
 50th INDIAN GEOTECHNICAL CONFERENCE

50th
IGC
17th – 19th DECEMBER 2015, Pune, Maharashtra, India
Venue: College of Engineering (Estd. 1854), Pune, India

0.5
2. Drnevich, V. P., Hardin, B. O., and Shippy, D. J.
(1978), Modulus and damping of soils by the
resonant column method, Dynamic Geotechnical
0.4
Testing, ASTM STP 654, 91- 125.
3. Hardin, B.O. and Drnevich, V.P. (1972a), Shear
modulus and damping in soils: Measurement and
Poisson's ratio, 

0.3
parameter effects, Journal of Soil Mechanics and
Foundations, Division, ASCE, 98(6), 603-624.
4. Hardin, B.O. & Drnevich, V.P. (1972b), Shear
0.2
modulus and damping in soils: Design equations
and curves, Journal of Soil Mechanics and
RD = 75 %
Shear strain = 0.0001 %
Foundations Division, ASCE, 98(7), 667-692.
0.1
Shear strain = 0.0014 % 5. Richart, F. E. Jr, Hall, J. R. Jr, Woods, R. D.
Shear strain = 0.025 % (1970), Vibrations of soils and foundations,
Shear strain = 0.1 % Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ.
0
6. Seed, H. B., Idriss, I. M. (1970), Soil moduli and
0 200 400 600 800
Confining pressure, 3 (kPa)
damping factors for dynamic response analysis,
Rep. No. EERC 70-10, Earthquake Engineering
Fig. 6 Variation of Poisson’s ratio with confining
Research Center, Berkeley, California.
pressure for various shear strain for RD= 75 %
7. Ishibashi, I., Zhang, X. J. (1993), Unified
dynamic shear moduli and damping sand and clay,
CONCLUSIONS
Soils and Foundations, 33(1), 182–191.
By performing resonant column tests on clean
8. Stokoe, K. H. II, Hwang, S. K., Lee, N. J.,
sand, it is possible to determine the Poisson’s ratio
Andrus, R. D. (1994), Effects of various
of the soil. It is observed that Poisson’s ratio is
parameters on the stiffness and damping of soils at
significantly influenced by the confining pressure,
small to medium strains, Proceedings of
relative density and shear strain of the soil. With
International Symposium Prefailure Deformation
the increase in confining pressure and relative
Characteristics of Geomaterials, Vol. 2, Sapporo,
density of the soil, Poison’s ratio decreases. This
Japan, pp. 785–816.
percentage decrease is higher for higher values of
9. Stokoe, K. H. II, Darendeli, M. B., Gilbert, R.
confining pressure as well as relative density.
B., Menq, F. Y., Choi, W. K. (2004), Development
Moreover with the increase in shear strain, the
of a new family of normalized modulus reduction
Poisson’s ratio of the soil increases. This increase
and material damping curves, Proceedings of
is found to be less for lower values of shear strain
NSF/PEER Int. Workshop on Uncertainties in
and for shear strain higher than 0.025 % there is
Nonlinear Soil Properties and their Impact on
tremendous increase in Poisson’s ratio of the soil.
Modeling Dynamic Soil Response, University of
It is also seen that the percentage reduction in
California at Berkeley.
Poisson’s ratio with confining pressure is higher
10. Kokusho, T. (1980), Cyclic triaxial test of
for higher values of shear strain. The variation of
dynamic soil properties for wide strain rate, Soils
Poisson’s ratio with degree of saturation can be a
and Foundations, 20(2), 45-60.
scope for further study.
11. Kumar, J., Madhusudhan, B. N. (2010), Effect
of relative density and confining pressure on
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Troyee Tanu Dutta & Sireesh Saride

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