Abstract
A recent project involved a shallow slope failure of a deposit of loose sand and a site investigation and laboratory test program was initiated to investigate the cause of the slide and evaluate the likelihood of any further movement. The sand was found to have an elevated mica content, which affected the density, compressibility and shearing behavior. Existing correlations between relative density and cone resistance were evaluated to better understand the in-situ density of the soil. Undrained triaxial tests were used to investigate the static strength and material anisotropy, while static and cyclic direct simple shear tests helped study behavior during undrained cyclic loading. The test results are summarised and key conclusions are presented which are of relevance for sites worldwide where micaceous sands are prevalent.
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Acknowledgments
The authors would like to acknowledge the input of David Hight and Steve Kay for advice and initial discussions during the planning and testing stage, based on experience with the Jamuna Bridge project. Colleagues at NGI and Montana State University are also thanked for assistance with laboratory testing and interpretation. The reviewers are acknowledged for timely and useful comments to the draft manuscript.
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Langford, T., Perkins, S. (2010). Characterization of Micaceous Sand for Investigation of a Subsea Mass Movement. In: Mosher, D.C., et al. Submarine Mass Movements and Their Consequences. Advances in Natural and Technological Hazards Research, vol 28. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-3071-9_7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-3071-9_7
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