Cyclic behavior of various sands and structural materials interfaces

This paper presents the results of an intensive experimental investigation on cyclic behavior of various sands and structural materials interface. Comprehensive measurements of the horizontal displacement and shear stresses developed during testing were performed using an automated constant normal load (CNL) cyclic direct shear test apparatus. Two different particle sizes (0.5 mm-0.25 mm and, 2.0 mm-1.0 mm) of sands having distinct shapes (rounded and angular) were tested in a cyclic direct shear testing apparatus at two vertical stress levels (<i>&#963;</i> = 50 kPa, and 100 kPa) and two rates of displacement (<i>R_D</i> = 2.0 mm/min, and 0.025 mm/min) against various structural materials (i.e., steel, concrete, and wood). The cyclic direct shear tests performed during this investigation indicate that (i) the shear stresses developed during shearing highly depend on both the shape and size of sand grains; (ii) characteristics of the structural materials are closely related to interface response; and (iii) the rate of displacement is slightly effective on the results.