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Department of Civil Engineering, University of Kuwait

ABSTRACT

Tests were carried out on crushed Napa basalt in a triaxial compression apparatus to examine the influence of the boundary restraint and the methods of consolidation on the observed stress-strain behaviour. Conventional as well as enlarged low-friction end platens were used in the test program. The KO consolidation tests were conducted. Using a special lateral strain sensor. The specimens were prepared at two initial relative densities (70 and 100%) and sheared under drained conditions at consolidation pressures of 413, 861, 2067 and 3445 KN/m2. The results show that, for the material tested, the effect of low end restraint is to increase both the uniformity of radial strain on the boundaries and the axial strain at failure. The use of lubricated low-friction platens in triaxial testing has no significant effect on volume change but reduces the effective angle of internal friction in comparison with conventional triaxial testing.