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Introduction
In the field of geotechnical engineering, the behavior of sands is dependent on quantities and characteristics such as relative density, confinement, particle size, particle
size distribution, particle shape, surface texture, mineralogy, and type of test conducted to determine sand response[I- 41. Given a particular type oftest in which; ideally, relative density and confinement can be controlled, the behavior of a given sand
will then depend on the above sand characteristics. If it were possible to evaluate
65
66
these characteristics for a given sand, it is conceivable that its behavior could be predicted if sufficient test resulls in terms of all quantities and characteristics were available to eSlablish functional relationships. Thus. in order to differcnliale one sand
from another. a system of designating particle size, panicle size distribution. particle
shape and surface texture is necessary.
Panicle size and size distribution are reproducible by the common sieve analysis.
However. a close look al any of the specific groups obtained by sieve analysis will reveal thai no two particles arc exactly alike in shape or surface texturels.6l. Hence.
shape and texture can playa major role in the behavior of particulate materials.
Waddel l7.81 showed that particle shape essentially consisted of two distinct characteristics. sphericity and roundness. Sphericity. after Krumbeinl'll. is the ratio of the
volume of the panicle to the volume of the smallest circumscribing sphere. Perfect
sphericity (perfect circularity in two dimensional views) gives a ratio of 1.0. Roundness is the ratio of the curvature of the corners and edges of the particle to the average curvature of the particle. A particle which gives a perfect circle as a projection
has a roundness of 1.0. It will be shown thai any given sieve portion of any sand does
not have singular values of sphericity and roundness but rather has distributions of
each. Therefore, in order to study sands realistically. the behavioral variations of different size ranges must be studied first and compared in terms of particles shape and
texture to formulate sand behavior in terms of these characteristics.
Surface texture of sand grains is an extremely difficult propeny to formulate. if not
an impossible one. The magnitudes of the surface features allributable to surface
tcxture are subordinate in size to those features included in particle shapedetermination. For agiven particle size. size distribution and particle shape. surface texture can
be defined only in terms of its effects on sand behavior.
Another property of sands is the mineralogy. It is important since (I) absolute tlensity in terms of specific gravity depends on the relative contributions of the various
mincmls comprising the sand particles. (2) tendencies of different minerals to cleave
and/or fracture in different ways and the geological history of each particle influence
the sh:lpe and textural features of the particles, and (3) grain-to-grain frictional
phenomena arc influenced by the Iypes and relative amounts of the various minerals
involved.
It is intended to determine. as far as possible, the relative order of magnitude of
the influences of particle size, particle size gradation, particle shape and surface texture on the behavioral response of sand, to determine the significance of each of
these characteristics on such response. to seek possible correlations among them,
and to establish the feasibility of such an approach to sand behavior. This investiga
tion is not concerned with information on panjcle formation, its interest is only in the
geometries and surface features of panicles as they exist at present in nature. However. the study will assist the reader in understanding the complexity of any attempt
to accurately describe a grain of sand.
An
Invulig~lion o{tlte
67
Laboratory Investigation
Sand Properties
The materials studied in this investigation were derived from three sands obtained
from Ottawa (USA). Dammam Beach on the eastern coast. and Abhur Beach on the
western coast of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Sands were sieved into several uniform sizes with a uniformity coefficient. Cu' of 1.2.
Mechanical sieving. though artificial in nature, isan adequate classification test for
defining uniform particle size ranges and uniform size gradation in terms of the uniformity coefficient. however this coefficient is generally inadequate for describing
particle size gradations. The range of particle size investigated extended from
O.84mm (No. 20) to O.lOmm (No. 140). plus two special mixes I and 2 as shown in
Table I.
TABl.E I. Materlalsinvestigated
"
u.s. Sieve
So,
Sinof
~ning
(11 m)
lJJ."
.s .'W
10-100
.,.."
IlkI-JoIO
15(l.1~
"."
nAS
~
E
"
<
.<
~
3545
500-355
~211
MeanSh.Valucs.
""'.
Round Gnll'it),
cil)
~'
,.~
,.
,.~
,.~
D~
0.52
O.~
,~
,.~
,.~
.,.."
O.~
D.M
l<Jl.m
D.~
L~m
0.81
D.N
""00
212-150
U.N
11.4lI
lfll.lao
15(l.1~
0.47
.,.W
212150
052
...
ON
D.~
11.61
500-355
0.81
l~m
u.~
70-100
2l2-15lJ
0.81
1(Kl.1411
l.sol~
U.~
1).55
052
0.51
051
lJJ."
1"-15
",,1.
"
Void Ralio
Spoof.
I.'"
2.66
2.66
I.'"
I.'"
'- '-
... ...
" I" 1'1 I"'" ""'"
,.""
'"
0.768 0..162
0.821 00478 0.313
0.5.18 '.J
0.915 0.537 0.3711
o.m 0.535 0.""
,....
I.W
2.67
2.67
2.70
2.72
2.70
2.70
.3
0.'" 0.620 '.300
I.Illl 0." 0.391 50.0 J7.8 122
2.71
2.7~
2.72
"'
,.'"
'" ., "
32.9
31.7
32.3
32.5
Il<~
379
>. -
H
~~
~A
1.1
1.1
~,
I.l
39.2
39.0
1.2
1.1
~7j
I.l
)2.1
32.5
315
-15.1
I.~
~.O
3O.l!
.\tI.5
~.U
1.1
I.l
1.2
"0
3511
51.0
:W,O
~,
3U)
al.O
3'Jj
., .,
L2
1.2
1.2
1.2
~I
~JI
JR.7
.u'
275
Ouall'a
(20-311). (3545).
059
~.66
0.62
2.bIi
062.1
(50-70J.
,-.
FllClion An~Ic"
Pol'O:lit)'
"
11$
OnaYo"J:
2O-l'l (75"').
35-lS
(I~).
SI~71)
\S'"I.
1lI-\OO(S'"I
lJ.J5~
D.""
~,
2td I!.l
l00-I~(5",
eu<h number ofsphcncny and roundlK"s, sho"n m Ih~ lahl~ IS lhc rcprcscnlUI"C mc:.n <uluc of 1110 grum" ... 'ho"'"
in Table 3.
A'crag~ of ~ 10 10 IcM' depen,Jing On the a\-ailaboilit)' ofttlt:lin siz~s.
68
Ayad A. AJzaydi
Dammam Beach sands are found to be primarily quartz as shown in Table 2, very
pale brown and appear rounded to subrounded to the naked eye. The carbonate percentage for size 20-30 is 5 percent with little or no heavy minerals. The percentages of
carbonate and heavy minerals increase as sieve size decreases to reach 19.5 and 4.5
percent for size 100-140, respectively.
TABLE
-0
'"
CIl
~.=
eu
"'~
Cl
... .=
:3
.=
.0
'"
Q)
<~
Sieve
Size
Carbonate
(%)
Quartz
(%)
20- 30
35- 45
60- 70
70-100
100-140
5.1
7.5
10.2
14.2
19.5
94.9
92.5
88.6
82.6
76.1
1.2
3.2
4.5
20- 30
35- 45
60- 70
70-100
100-140
88.4
67.7
62.4
58.1
43.2
11.1
30.8
34.9
35.0
41.2
0.5
1.5
2.7
6.9
15.6
Abhur Beach sands are brown in color, appear rounded to subrounded to the
naked eye, partly quartz and partly carbonate with some percentage of heavy minerals. For size 20-30, the percentage of carbonate, quartz, and heavy minerals are 88.4,
11.1 and 0.5 percent, respectively. As the sieve size decreases, carbonate decreases,
and quartz and heavy minerals increase. For size 100-140, the percentages of carbonate, quartz, and heavy minerals become 43.2, 41.2, and 15.6, respectively. This
explains the increase in the specific gravity values fot Abhur in Table 1.
69
70 70-100 Oommom
R meon= 0.48
60
"""
z
~_.
.-
50 f - - -
40 f----
e-
30 -
--
20
10
.,
05
1.0
Roundness J R
20
7O-100Dammom
15
.. meon=O.79
10
5
OL,-,,--'=---L~~------,~-------;;-::;------==?;;;,---J
0.55
SpheriCity. '"
FIG.
Ayad A. Alzaydi
70
TABLE 3. Typical test data for shape determinations of (70-100) Dammam beach sand.
Grain
No.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
Group 1
Group 2
Group 3
Group 4
I/I-R
I/I-R
I/I-R
I/I-R
0.83
0.79
0.73
0.81
0.73
0.83
0.74
0.76
0.67
0.77
0.83
0.83
0.83
0.73
0.67
0.73
0.75
0.83
0.81
0.077
0.83
0.89
0.91
0.69
0.83
0.50
0.50
0.40
0.45
0.45
0.50
0.50
0.40
0.50
0.50
0.30
0.30
0.50
0.50
0.50
0.50
0.45
0.60
0.50
0.50
0.50
0.50
0.60
0.45
0.45
0.83
0.74
0.79
0.80
0.77
0.79
0.77
0.79
0.75
0.79
0.79
0.79
0.73
0.85
0.77
0.77
0.87
0.81
0.85
0.81
0.77
0.80
0.83
0.64
0.83
0.50
0.50
0.45
0.50
0.55
0.50
0.40
0.50
0.50
0.30
0.50
0.50
0.45
0.50
0.55
0.50
0.50
0.50
0.50
0.30
0.55
0.40
0.45
0.45
0.45
Sum
19.59
11.85
19.68
Mean
0.78
0.47
0.79
Standard
Deviation
0.063
0.069
0.046
0.79
11.8
0.81
0.79
0.93
0.87
0.49
0.71
0.72
0.89
0.78
0.84
0.76
0.81
0.85
0.76
0.83
0.77
0.77
0.87
0.83
0.81
0.63
0.82
0.84
0.71
0.73
0.40
0.45
0.60
0.55
0.45
0.45
0.50
0.50
0.45
0.50
0.45
0.50
0.55
0.50
0.55
0.50
0.55
0.55
0.45
0.50
0.500
0.50
0.50
0.55
0.50
0.84
0.72
0.87
0.85
0.77
0.88
0.74
0.73
0.70
0.87
0.72
0.76
0.88
0.79
0.71
0.83
0.79
0.79
0.75
0.78
0.70
0.82
0.85
0.77
0.74
0.50
0.50
0.50
0.45
0.55
0.55
0.50
0.45
0.50
0.55
0.45
0.50
0.60
0.55
0.50
0.55
0.45
0.45
0.45
0.55
0.55
0.50
0.45
0.45
0.50
19.72
12.5
19.65
12.25
0.47
0.79
0.5
0.79
0.49
0.064
0.077
0.045
0.059
0.044
R",ean =
0.48
Discussion
Values of mean roundness ranged from 0.65 (well rounded, 20-30 Ottawa and
Dammam Beach) to 0.47 (subrounded, 100-140 Dammam Beach) which represents
a significant range as shown in Figure 2. The larger the particle size, the more
rounded it tends to become through natural processes. Since the average sphericities
ranged only from 0.79 to 0.87 for the sands tested, sphericity was not considered a
primary variable in this investigation.
71
70,~-.------------------------,
065
II<
~O.60
"".w<>
~ 0.55
"o
II<
Sand
o.~
Son~
0'\5
090
50
46
46
44
11c'
!!
u
42
40
36
E:
'0
36
Er
34
.,
32
'"c
<l
30
~ .<i/f
26
0'
4.
,<.::..._-----------0<1
...- :.-- ------------.
~.,.::";
f/
Loo
--
26
20
700
600
900
pm
FIG. 2. Mean particle diameler ver u roundne phericit and angle of [memal friclion.
Packing behavior, in term of maximum and minimum void ratio~ anti aid ratio
spread, wa inve tigated for the sand. tested. These param ters incr a ea. panicle
roundne and size decrea e. Thu ,for a given and the limiting den itic tend to dl'creas with the increa e of particle ize becau of the hape factor; data ploned in
Figure. 3 and 4 follow thi trend for each t pe of sand.
Ayad A. Alzaydi
72
0.45
Ottawa Sand
<J 0.40
,
l!?
0.35
Jt
.~
'0
a:
0.30
.~
>
0.25
1.2
tmax
1.0
@
II)
0
0
a:
0.8
{ t min
""0"
0.8
0.4
U. S. Sieve Size
140
100
100 70 60
200
300
45
400
20
35
500
800
700
800
pm
FIG. 3. Mean particle diameter versus void ratio and void ratio spread.
900
73
0.45
CIl
0.40
<l
"O~
"a.~ 035
(f)
'';::
"
Q:
0.30
Otlawa Sand
@ Dammam Beach Sand
Abhur Beach Sand
"0
0.25
1.2
1.0
CIl
,
0
oB
"
Q:
~
0
>
0.6
0.4
----7=-----
0.2~_ _
0.4
---l..
0.5
06
Roundnp.ss,
-.J
0.7
Fl(l 5. Smuothersurface leKluTc or (35-45) D,lmm,lm Belich Slind in A .B_ and C. compared 10 the surface
lexture of (35-45) Abhur Beach sand in D.E. and F. Scale is in j.l.m.
Flo 6. Smoother surface texlUre or (70-100) Dammam Ikach sand in A,B, and C, compared 10 the surface textureof(70-IOO) Abhur Beach sand in D.E, and F. Scale is in I/om.
76
Ayad A. Alzaydi
~o
...;:
a
::
.!! 40
'0
"c:
c.
<t
r
L
~
,
3C~
'-,:)
__
Dense
Samo~1!!5
;2C~
OC~
.~
~~
::~,-
:r_?J'_-_~_Y_/_/
.J,
"
~/:::
_-?,-J
~-~~;~
,.~-
::.
---,l
)
:5
~ouncr,ess.
FIG.
:) :
77
Qualitative appraisals of surface texture are inadequate for behavioral description. An investigation of texture requires control of particle size, shape and mineralogy. Hence, the fact that particle roundness and surface texture packing behavior
and strength behavior of the sands tested led to the process of dividing <p by .:1e for
each individual sand. This process resulted in a normalization relationship as a function of particle roundness that could be represented by a simple linear relationship.
(1)
where A is an intercept on the stlength-packing parameter axis and B is the slope of
the normalization. Figure 7 shows the normalizations for the present investigation
with a minimum coefficient of determination, R2, equal to 0.984 and for uniform
sizes (C u = 1.2), which appear promising in that the strength-packing parameter (<PI
.:1e) appears to include surface texture variations.
Conclusion
This investigation has considered, for the first time, the comprehensive range of
variables necessary to determine the quantitative measures of the influences of particle characteristics, relative to each other, on the behavior of some local sands. The
particle characteristics included particle shape, particle size, surface texture, particle
size gradation and mineralogy. Although it is difficult to isolate the absolute influences of these characteristics, the results of this investigation have conclusively demonstrated the orders of magnitude of the contributions which each characteristic
makes to the overall response behavior of sands. The conclusions obtained were:
1. Particle roundness has a significant influence on both packing and shear
strength behavior. Decreasing particle roundness (increasing angularity) results in
increasing maximum and minimum void ratios, increasing void ratio spreads and decreasing frictional shear resistance at a given relative density.
2. Particle size has less influence on both packing behavior and strength behavior,
compared to the significance of particle shape. However, as the particle size decreases, roundness decreases, maximum and minimum void ratio increase, void ratio
spread increases in all the sands tested, and the frictional shear resistance decreases
in Dammam Beach and Abhur Beach Sands.
3. Surface texture significantly influences both packing behavior and shear behavior. After roundness has been evaluated, surface texture is considered to comprise the features which are subordinate in size to those utilized to determine roundness, i.e., surface texture is one order of magnitude or more below roundness.
Smoother surface texture results in decreased packing limits, decreased void ratio
spread, and decreased shear resistance at a given relative density.
4. Improved particle size gradation results in reduced packing limits and a reduced void ratio spread, all with regard to the respective packing behavior of the uniform constituent sizes. Its influence on packing is equivalent to that of roundness or
texture. Conversely, its influence on strength behavior, at a given relative density, is
minor as compared to roundness or texture.
:'. Particle mineralogy significanlly influences 51 rengt h behavior. but it has liltle or
effect on p'lcking hchavior. Hence. a study of sand behavior based on such a
characteristic. wilhout recourse to particle shape information. can only lead to conIradictions of response. Consideration must be given 10 all of the above particle
characteristics in order 10 ,'alidly atlribute a particular effect to anyone of them. The
importance of particle roundness in the preSClll investigation intimates that particle
roundness should influence the measurement of the particle-Io-panicle mineral friction charcteristic.
6. Normalizations of the 'Ioove phenomena in terms of the ratio of the friction
angle to the void ratio spre.td as a function of roundness arc of significanl value in expressing strengthp:lcking-shapc interrelationships. This normalized form of representation is independent of surface texture but is a function of particle mineralogy.
rel:lIive density. and particle size gradation.
.lll
111
III
131
141
Oda. I'll Kooishi. J. and Nrmat_Naswr. S. Some Experimentally Based Fundamental Resulboo tlK'
Medlanical Behaviour of Granular Mall:rials. Groftchniq,~. 30(4): 47'9-495 (1980).
NrmalNaswr. S. 00 Bchayjor of Granular Materials in Simple SlK'ar. iupuntsr Sociny v/ So.J
Mtchunksund FOlUldu/iQfl Engintffing. 20(3): (1980).
Chrislof1'uwn. J . l'\IehntNodi.1'\1. and NematNlIssu. S. A Microffi('ehankal DescriIXion of Gr;onular Material Behavior, i. 0/ Applitd Mechanics. 43(2): (1981).
Oda. I'll. Nrmat-N..-r. S. and Mrhrabadi. I'll . A Stalistical Study of Fahric in a Random Assembly
of Spherical Granules. Jm. i. for Numtrieul and AnoJy,ical Mrfhods in GtOmn:hanta. 6: 7794
(19~).
151
tarkrno.. A.K .. Methods of Stud)'ing Se,1 Strueture. Amerind Publishing Co., N. Y. (1971).
Mitfhdl. J.K . Fundamentals of Soil Behavior, John Wiley and Sons. loc.. N. Y. (1976).
171 Wadrll. II .. Volume. Shape and Roundness of Roek Partieles. i. o/Geology. 40: 443-451 (1'132).
[81 Waddl, H.. Volume. Shape and Roundness ofOuanz Partides.i. o/Gta/ogy. 43: 250-280(1935).
I'll Krumbfln, W.C. Measurement and Gl.'nlog,eal Sigmficanl"f: or Shape and Roundlless of ScdimentMy Particles. i. of Stdimtn/QfY Pt'(folog)'. II: 64-12 (194 I).
1101 RiIl~nhouw. G., A Visual Method or Estimating Two Dimensional Sphericity.i. o/St'dimm/of." 1'1'/.
f/J/Ogy. 13: NRl (1943).
[61
79
,=,~)1 ~I ~ ~4i
j.,yJ\ ~ ~\ ......\:0:- , ....... J.:J.\ ~ , ~.ll\ ....... J.:J,\ ~
~~y-I\ ~.rJ\ ~\
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U..l.:J1 j '
, o..L.-=>:-
~\ ~)
~I U..d\
j'
\c5 .
~}I 1...Lo.
.j
~I w~\ j '
~ 1)(; ;t:o 1.+.15 i..?.r.--=J 1 -.j~I) ~I ....) \.i. .:.>f Js- C:L..:JI ...:.J~ ..Lib
Jl .......,.....,al 4.l2::l1 JL.)I .i..J;\.:... -:..J ~ . ~I ~IJ w~1 i)..L.:.....~
,)t Js- U1 ...:.J, \c5) . ~I ;.;l;SJ\ ~ ~\) ~I) .....)L:J.I .:..'" ;.,.la.> <.i")\&.
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