TECHNICAL NOTE: Techniques for performing small-strain probes in the triaxial apparatus

Gasparre, A. & Coop, M. (2006). Géotechnique 56, No. 7, 491–495

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TECHNICAL NOTE

Techniques for performing small-strain probes in the triaxial apparatus

A. GASPARRE* and M. COOP†

KEYWORDS: clays; elasticity; laboratory equipment; laboratory

tests; stiffness

INTRODUCTION

Field measurements of the behaviour of geotechnical structures

and the need for improved geotechnical design have

highlighted the importance of accurately simulating the behaviour

of soils at very small strains (e.g. Simpson et al.,

1979, 1981; Puzrin & Burland, 1998). In recent years, the

study of soil behaviour at small strains has been improved

by the development of high-resolution instrumentation,

which allows strain measurements in the laboratory to be