EFFECT OF NON- PLASTIC FINES ON THE BEHAVIOR OF LOOSE SAND-AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY

Abstract

The behavior of sand is affected by the content of non-plastic fine particles. How and to what degree the fines content affects the minimum and maximum void ratios, angle of internal friction and bearing capacity have been studied in detail. A systematic experimental study is performed of the variation of minimum and maximum void ratios, angle of internal friction and bearing capacity with contents of fines for sands. It is shown that the fines content plays an important role in determining the minimum and maximum void ratios, angle of internal friction and bearing capacity. Results of the laboratory tests shows that maximum and minimum void ratios of clean sand decreases as fine content increases from 0 to 20% and increases if fines content exceeds 20%. Results also indicate that angle of internal friction and bearing capacity decreases on the addition of fines due to compressibility of fines.