A Critical Assessment of the Effect of Initial Fabric on Key Small-Strain Design Parameters of Slurry-Deposited Silts and Sands

Whereas moist-tamped specimens of silts and sands are most used in engineering practice to characterize tailings, offshore sediments, fluvial/alluvial deposits, design parameters derived from moist-tamping data sets can be significantly different those obtained slurry or underwater deposition. This study shows that silty sandy may exhibit phase transformation at stress ratios 25% 50% lower than observed for slurry-deposited specimens. Conversely, the small-strain stiffness tested higher With tailings dams’ performance receiving increased worldwide attention due recent dam failures several parts world, this provides new, specific, concerning insights about crucial impact selection moist tamping have on parameters. More realistic rigorous laboratory testing procedures involving remain a key requirement assessments behavior. A novel slurry-deposition setup is presented allows reconstitution silts, sands, their mixtures, yielding high-quality uniform Systematic uniformity checks, which mandatory avoid segregation materials, described. detailed analysis typical errors affecting initial void ratio evaluation also ensure comparisons between methods done with highest degree confidence possible.