ABSTRACT
Cyclic shearing of a sample of cohesionless granules (sand) under fixed confining pressure produces overall densification. The granules move relative to each other in response to the applied shearing, and the sample tends to compact after each cycle in the presence of confinement. The shearing resistance of the sample at such a state is very small, and the sample momentarily behaves like a liquid. The area of the hysteretic loop, in general, depends on the history of deformation, on the wave-form, and on the stress amplitude. The void ratio and the residual shear strain at the completion of this cycle are 0.649 and 5.1%, respectively. The inherent anisotropy associated with sample preparation techniques affects both the densification and liquefaction potential of the sample. For simple cyclic shearing, the distribution of the dilatancy angles characterizing the fabric may be related to the shear strain and, in this manner, the densification pattern may be estimated.
