Spatial variation of void ratio and shear band thickness in sand using X-ray computed tomography

A detailed study of spatial variation of void ratio and shear band thickness measurements is presented in this paper. A prismatic sand specimen that initially measured 57·4 mm wide × 120·5 mm long × 182·1 mm high was sheared under plane-strain (biaxial) loading conditions. The specimen was prepared at a relative density of 79% using F-75 Ottawa sand. X-ray computed tomography was used to scan the specimen before shearing and after the onset of the shear band. The specimen failed through a single shear band with an inclination angle of 65·6° measured from the direction of the minor principal stress. Computer algorithms were developed to calibrate CT images and quantify void ratio (e) variation within the specimen. CT data analysis revealed cross-sectional spatial variation in void ratio where density is higher in regions close to the edges of the specimen due to membrane effects and confining pressure with no significant variation in void ratio in the axial direction (top to bottom) before shearing. The shear band was easily identified from the CT images, and analysis of void ratio showed a noticeable jump in void ratio profile across the shear band. A detailed statistical summary of the thickness of the shear band and variation of void ratio across the shear band is presented and discussed.