SOIL SHEAR MODULUS FROM RESONANT COLUMN, TORSIONAL SHEAR AND BENDER ELEMENT TESTS

Abstract

This study compares results from three different testing methods: Resonant Column, Torsional
Simple Shear, and Bender Element tests to determine shear modulus. The resonant column and torsional
shear tests were performed on the same hollow cylinder specimen. The bender element test was performed on
a triaxial specimen with the same void ratio and confining stress as well as others. Several effects were
studied, among them confining stress, shear strain amplitude and for the bender element, anisotropic
confinement. Testing methods and data analysis are discussed in the paper because data interpretation is very
important in these tests. Results showed that the shear modulus values were almost identical between the
resonant column and torsional shear but varied somewhat with the bender element results. Further research
will focus on influence of stress anisotropy preparation methods.