Practical Approach to Predicting theK₀Behavior of In Situ Sandy Gravel

Abstract

To investigate the scale effect on at-rest earth pressure coefficient K 0 for sandy gravel, a number of K 0 tests for sandy gravel were performed by using a new-developed large-size K 0 apparatus. e test samples with different maximum particle size d M are prepared by different techniques, and the scale effect on K 0 behavior of sandy gravels is investigated. It is found that the vertical stress σ v , preparation technique and d M all have some influence on the value of K 0 for the tested sandy gravels. Since different d M or preparation techniques all induce the scale effect, the scale effect on K 0 of sandy gravel can not be ignored. Based on the test data of sandy gravel, a description of K 0 considering scale effect as well as σ v is proposed and an approach to predict the K 0 behavior of sandy gravel in situ is obtained. Furthermore, the accuracy and applicability of the approach is verified.