Soil Mechanics Dynamic systems

WF Resonant Column Apparatus

Combined Resonant Column (RC) & Torsional Cyclic Shear (TCS) Test
apparatus to determinate with saturated soil :

Shear Modulus

Damping Modulus
versus Shear Strain

Soil Mechanics Dynamic systems

WF Resonant Column Apparatus

The base pedestal is fixed (the same as a standard triaxial) but the
specimen top cap is free to rotate.
A rotational force (torque) is applied to the specimen top by electromagnetic system which applies the stress or strain loading in
frequency up to 250 Hz.

Ideal for Research

Conforming to ASTM D 4015

Soil Mechanics Dynamic systems

The aim

The WF-Resonant Column allows the investigation of stress-strain behavior in

the small shear strains level field

Typically small and medium strain levels

High accuracy testing systems, suitable for that

levels of strains

Soil Mechanics Dynamic systems

The aim

Causes of Vibrations

Dynamic System Ranges

This bottom half graph shows the range of strain encountered from machines or natural
causes. The top half shows test systems that can perform these range of strains
Dynatriax - Cyclic Triaxial

Bender Element

Cyclic Simple Shear

TCS-Torsional Cyclic Shear
RC-Resonant Column

Small Strain Triaxial

10 - 4

10 - 3

10 - 2

10 - 1

10

10 - 1

10

Machine Foundations
Ocean Wave Loading
Earthquake

10 - 4

10 - 3

10 - 2

(% Strain)

Soil Mechanics Dynamic systems

The aim

Stress conditions of soil sample during earthquake

before

throughout

Soil Mechanics Dynamic systems

The aim

Soil response to cyclic vibrations

Soil Mechanics Dynamic systems

The aim

Secant shear modulus

Secant shear modulus

Damping ratio

Soil Mechanics Dynamic systems

The aim

Strain level and mechanical

behaviour
Small strain level behaviour

Medium strain level behaviour

Big strain level behaviour

Soil Mechanics Dynamic systems

The aim
Strain-dependent shear modulus and damping ratio

G0 or Gmax

Soil Mechanics Dynamic systems

The aim

Local Seismic Response of a real soil

Change of D and G against depth, due to different
density g of the soil layers and to different
geostatical stress levels

Layer 1

Layer 2
Layer 3

Soil Mechanics Dynamic systems

The aim

Typical range of G/Go curves against shear

strain g for gravels, sands and clays

Soil Mechanics Dynamic systems

The aim

Range of strain

Soil strains on site

Micro strains
Small
strains

Large strains

Conventional triaxial tests

Local measurement of strains
Dynamic tests

Soil Mechanics Dynamic systems

WF Resonant Column Apparatus

The test procedure includes a series of measurements of the

resonance frequency against the increasing levels of shear strains,
in order to define the diagram (g G).

For each level of strain, once the resonance frequency has been
measured, the damping ratio is also calculated, in order to define
the diagram (g D).

Soil Mechanics Dynamic systems

The System

Soil Mechanics Dynamic systems

The Cell
External perspex cell wall

double coaxial perspex cell,

Axial transducer
Proxy transducers support

electromagnetic system:
8 coils encircling 4 magnets
connected to the sample upper
end,
measuring system (axial
transducer, proxy transducers,
pressure transducers, volume
change system)

coils
magnet

specimen

Internal lexan cell wall

Soil Mechanics Dynamic systems

The Cell Parts

Electromagnetic
system: fixed part

Magnets supporting frame and

top cap: moving part

Double cell
Proxy transducers
motion system

Soil Mechanics Dynamic systems

The Cell

Electromagnetic drive
system connects to the
specimen top cap
Double cell system

Soil Mechanics Dynamic systems

How does it work ?

The electromagnetic drive consists of eight coils mounted on a drive plate with
four magnets positioned on the specimen top cap assembly. When a sinusoidal
current is applied to the coils, it pulls the magnets in one direction and reverses
the direction as the sine wave changes from positive to negative. The actual
rotational movement of the top cap is determined by the stiffness of the specimen
being tested.

The double cell is to allow us to have water in the inner cell up to the top cap with
a layer of silicon oil on top of the water. The outer cell confining pressure is air.
The water in the inner cell is to prevent air diffusion through the specimen
membrane and the silicon oil is to prevent air entering the water.

Soil Mechanics Dynamic systems

The Cell

Electromagnetic system
fixed to the inner cell top

Magnets supporting frame and

top cap: free to rotate

Soil Mechanics Dynamic systems

The Cell

The top picture shows the electromagnetic drive system which is

attached to the top of the inner cell.
The bottom picture shows the top cap with the four magnets. This is
attached to the specimen with a membrane and o rings, the same as a
standard triaxial set up. This assembly is free to rotate.

Soil Mechanics Dynamic systems

The Cell
The inner cell containing the
specimen is filled with water with a
silicon oil top to prevent air diffusion
through the membrane.
The outer cell pressure is air which
acts on the water producing
equal pressure to the inner & outer cell.

Double cell

We use a double cell to separate the

air and water when applying cell
pressure. The electromagnetic drive
system can only run in air. If we used
air around the specimen we can have
air diffusion through the membrane.
This happens in long term tests, so we use
de-aired water as in our standard
triaxial tests.

Soil Mechanics Dynamic systems

The Measurements

Two proximity transducers

are mounted on the electromagnetic drive system to
monitor the rotation of the
top cap assembly.
Proximity transducers are
non contact transducers
which do not interfere with
the rotation of the top cap.
Therefore they have no
influence on the recorded data.

Soil Mechanics Dynamic systems

The Control Box

Soil Mechanics Dynamic systems

The Control Box

Power
Main switch
GND
Ground
Accel
Accelerometer
Axial
Connection to LVDT for measurement of axial compression of the specimen
Aux 1
Auxiliary input for further appplications
Prox
Connection to the couple of the proximity transducers
Cell, Pore e Back pressure
Serie of 3 connectors for the relevant pressure transducers
Volume Connection to the volume change transducers or differential pressure
Motion
Connection to the motor drivers of the proximity transducers
Aux2
Auxiliary input for further appplications
Coils
Uscita per il collegamento delle bobine del motore di coppia.
USB
Connection to PC
Each cable is fitted with a specific connector for easy installation of the transducers
inside the cell body, near the sample.

Soil Mechanics Dynamic systems

Performing the test

The test is performed on a cylindrical sample
(50 mm dia, 70 mm available on request), either undisturbed or remoulded
The RC system software has the following stages:
1. Saturation
2. Isotropic Consolidation
3. Resonant Frequency
4. Torsional shear
As in all standard triaxial tests, we start by saturating the
specimen and applying the in-situ effective stress.
Then we choose to determine the resonant frequency or the
torsional shear strength.

Soil Mechanics Dynamic systems

Performing the test

Performing the test:
Saturation

Consolidation

Measurements

Same as in the triaxial test

Same as in the triaxial test

An excitation current is applied to the electromagnetic drive
system, to generate a constant torque to the top end of the soil
sample. The frequency of this current is increased until the
fundamental resonance frequency of the system is achieved.
Resonance frequency and relevant acceleration are measured.
From these data the G modulus is calculated
The damping ratio D is also measured during the free vibration
decay procedure.
Further measurements are performed during torsional tests,
where higher levels of excitation current and torque are applied.

Soil Mechanics Dynamic systems

Performing the test

The dynamic behavior of soils is represented by the Shear modulus G,
the Damping ratio D and the Shear Strain g

G shear modulus and D damping ratio, are of key importance to determine the
mechanical behaviour of soils under small strain cyclic loading conditions

Soil Mechanics Dynamic systems

Resonant frequency
The excitation Voltage is fixed and the frequency increased in automatic
increments or steps.

The system records the shear strain and calculates the Fundamental
Resonant Frequency corresponding to the maximum shear strain.

Soil Mechanics Dynamic systems

Resonant frequency
fr Fundamental Resonant Frequency
f1 & f2 are the band width frequencies at which the amplitude 0.707
times the amplitude of the fundamental resonant frequency fr
Stokoe et al. 1999

Shear strain,
(%) g (%)
Shear gstrain,

G VS2

Frequency, f (Hz)

VS

2 fr L
F

f 2 f1
2 fr

Soil Mechanics Dynamic systems

Torsional shear
The test (undrained conditions):
1. Saturation

2. Isotropic consolidation
3. The frequency of the cyclic Torsional shear (sinusoidal, <2 Hz) is constant while
amplitude is increased.
1. The system records the Torsional stress & strain values for each amplitude and

displays Hysteresis cycle from witch G and D are determined.

g is measured through
proximity transducers the
shear strength t is
evaluated through the
applied torque

Soil Mechanics Dynamic systems

Resonant frequency

Soil Mechanics Dynamic systems

Resonant frequency

From the frequency sweep graph the fundamental resonant

frequency and Modulus of damping can be determined.
In the resonant column test the half power bandwidth method can
be used to measure the material damping

The bandwidth is the frequency difference between the upper and

lower frequencies for which the power has dropped to half of its
maximum, the frequencies F1 and F2 at which the amplitude is 0.707
times the amplitude at the resonance frequency Fr.

Soil Mechanics Dynamic systems

Saturation and consolidation

Graph showing consolidation curve

Soil Mechanics Dynamic systems

Torsional shear

Torsion Shear Test at 0.1Hz, Amplitude 1 Volt