Stress-strain Analysis in the Soil Sample During Laboratory Testing

During the determination of soil strength and compressibility in a laboratory by different apparatus soil is loaded in a different way. It has an influence on stress‐strain distribution in a sample. Some factors are not evaluated during the results interpretation, for example, friction between soil and device metal parts. The finite‐element method analysis also shows that during triaxial, oedometer, shear box tests distribution of stress and strain in the sample is non‐uniform. A special apparatus was designed and used for determining horizontal component of stress in the cross‐section of the sample. It was determined for sands that horizontal component of stress in the cross‐section centre is significantly smaller than at the edges. Increasing load plastic deformations are developing not in the whole sample but in particular places. If we know a real distribution of stress and strain in the sample, it is possible to determine the soil strength and deformation parameters in a more precise way or to rate the influence of different factors on soil properties.