Calibration and Limitations of a Fixed-Partly Fixed Resonant Column Apparatus

Rieman, L., Buckley, R. and Wheeler, S. (2023) Calibration and Limitations of a Fixed-Partly Fixed Resonant Column Apparatus. In: 8th International Symposium on Deformation Characteristics of Geomaterials, Porto, Portugal, 3-6 September 2023,

Abstract

The small-strain shear modulus of soils and rocks is an important input parameter in geotechnical analyses. Its estimation using the resonant column apparatus relies on accurate knowledge of the rotational inertia of the apparatuss active end. Due to the complex geometry of the active end, its inertia is typically found from a calibration exercise. In this study a range of aluminium calibration bars and steel masses were used to compare two different calibration exercises presented in the literature. The resulting values of active end inertia are shown to be highly method-dependent. The method of compensating for the drive connection stiffness by finding the apparatus resonant frequency is found to introduce errors at low stiffness. The combined use of calibration bars and masses reduces scatter but yields poor results for stiff bars. An alternative approach to mitigate both of these problems is suggested. Active end inertia is found to be constant using this alternative approach. While effects of base inertia and reaction mass inertia are found to be small for this apparatus, compliance of the drive system is shown to significantly reduce resonant frequencies at high stiffnesses which increases the apparent active end inertia. This reduction in resonant frequency is modelled and used to derive frequency correction factors, which reduce errors in shear modulus to within acceptable limits when using the constant value of active end inertia. This demonstrates the potential for increasing the limit of sample stiffness where sufficient calibration data are available.

• Item Type: Conference Proceedings
• Additional Information: The first Author is supported by the University of Glasgow’s PhD scholarship scheme. The Authors acknowledge the financial support of Vattenfall for this work. The PhD research supports the EPSRC funded SOURCE project (EP/W020807/1).
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Wheeler, Professor Simon and Rieman, Luke and Buckley, Dr Roisin
• Authors: Rieman, L., Buckley, R., and Wheeler, S.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering; College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Infrastructure and Environment

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
314411		SOURCE: Improved insitu Stiffness measurements for Offshore foundation design considering Uncertainty, Repeatability and Common sources of Error	Roisin Buckley	Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)	EP/W020807/1	ENG - Infrastructure & Environment