In this study an attempt is made to develop an optimal parametric model to represent the particle size distribution (PSD) curves of granular soils based on experimental data. Four unimodal models and one bimodal model are studied to determine which model performs best. As it is very difficult to determine the model parameter values without the assistance of a computer, because of the equations’ complexity, a software package has been developed based on the Matlab platform. A database of 21 soil specimens with pre-fitted PSD curves and 13 soil specimens with a number of experimental data are studied to evaluate the performance of these models. The results indicate that most of the gap-graded soil PSD curves can be correctly represented using the Fredlund bimodal parametric (FBP) model, while all the well-graded soil PSD curves can be represented using both the FBP and Fredlund 4 parametric (F4P) models.
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February 2016
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Research Article|
November 20 2015
Optimal model for particle size distribution of granular soil Available to Purchase
Zong-qing Zhou, BEng;
Zong-qing Zhou, BEng
PhD candidate
Geotechnical and Structural Engineering Research Center, Shandong University, Ji'nan, Shandong, China
Visitor, Deep Earth Energy Research Laboratory, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Pathegama Gamage Ranjith, PhD;
Pathegama Gamage Ranjith, PhD
Professor
Deep Earth Energy Research Laboratory, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Shu-cai Li, PhD
Shu-cai Li, PhD
Professor
Geotechnical and Structural Engineering Research Center, Shandong University, Ji'nan, Shandong, China
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Publisher: Emerald Publishing
Received:
April 14 2015
Accepted:
October 05 2015
Online ISSN: 1751-8563
Print ISSN: 1353-2618
ICE Publishing: All rights reserved
2015
Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Geotechnical Engineering (2016) 169 (1): 73–82.
Article history
Received:
April 14 2015
Accepted:
October 05 2015
Citation
Zhou Z, Ranjith PG, Li S (2016), "Optimal model for particle size distribution of granular soil". Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Geotechnical Engineering, Vol. 169 No. 1 pp. 73–82, doi: https://doi.org/10.1680/jgeen.15.00075
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