Journal Article

A Comparative Analysis of Damping Assessment Methods in Cohesive-frictional Soils via Thermo-controlled Resonant Column Testing

Hoyos, Laureano R, Davoodi-Bilesavar, Roya

2024

Overview

In recent decades, the most impactful effects of thermal gradients on the shear modulus of compacted soils have been increasingly well documented. The thermal repercussions on the corresponding damping ratios, however, have not been as thoroughly investigated. In this work, a series of thermo-controlled resonant column tests was conducted on statically compacted samples of three distinct types of cohesive-frictional soils, namely low plasticity clay, non-plastic silt, and clayey sand, to assess the effect of elevated soil temperatures on their respective small-strain damping ratios. Damping ratio for each soil type and test condition was determined via both the frequency response curves (bandwidth method) and the underdamped free-vibration cycles (logarithmic decrement) in order to perform a comparative analysis of damping assessment methods. The corresponding stress–strain hysteresis loops were also evaluated for further qualitative insights into any possible thermal sensitivities of their material damping in the field. Results show a mostly detrimental effect of increasing soil temperature on the small-strain stiffness of cohesive-frictional soils, with their damping ratio remaining virtually unchanged (clays) or experiencing a gradual increase (silts and sands) with increasing soil temperature.

• Publisher: Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Clay / Cohesion / Cohesive soils / Compacted soils / Comparative analysis / Damping / Damping ratio / Frequency dependence / Frequency response / Hysteresis loops / Plasticity / Shear modulus / Silt / Soil / Soil compaction / Soil temperature / Soil testing / Soil types / Temperature gradients / Vibration / Vibration analysis