The influence of polymer content on the shear wave velocities in fine sand Available to Purchase

The usage of various polymers as an alternative in ground improvement problems is steadily gaining popularity. However, certain aspects of the usage of polymers are still not properly addressed. In this research, an experimental programme was undertaken to study the influence of various polymer contents on the shear wave velocities in granular soils. Different polymer concentrations were mixed with a uniform sand to obtain various concentrations. Resonant column tests were carried out under three different mean effective stresses considering various densities. The results suggest a significant influence of the polymer under low stress values due to the coating that reduces normal contact forces between sand grains. The influence of the coating is further seen to decrease since under higher stresses, the coatings are significantly damaged, leading to an increase in the stiffness of the specimens, the values of which are closer to that measured for pure sand.