ASTM_D_5311_-_D_5311M_-_13.pdf

Designation:D5311/D5311M13Standard Test Method forLoad Controlled Cyclic Triaxial Strength of Soil1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5311/D5311M;the number immediately following the designation indicates theyear of original adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of lastreapproval.A superscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope*1.1 This test method covers the determination of the cyclicstrength(sometimes called the liquefaction potential)of satu-rated soils in either intact or reconstituted states by theload-controlled cyclic triaxial technique.1.2 The cyclic strength of a soil is evaluated relative to anumber of factors,including:the development of axial strain,magnitude of applied cyclic stress,number of cycles of stressapplication,development of excess pore-water pressure,andstate of effective stress.A comprehensive review of factorsaffecting cyclic triaxial test results is contained in the literature(1).21.3 Cyclic triaxial strength tests are conducted underundrained conditions to simulate essentially undrained fieldconditions during earthquake or other cyclic loading.1.4 Cyclic triaxial strength tests are destructive.Failure maybe defined on the basis of the number of stress cycles requiredto reach a limiting strain or 100%pore pressure ratio.SeeSection 3 for Terminology.1.5 This test method is generally applicable for testingcohesionless free draining soils of relatively high permeability.When testing well-graded materials,silts,or clays,pore-waterpressures monitored at the specimen ends may not representpore-water pressure values throughout the specimen.However,this test method may be followed when testing most soil typesif care is taken to ensure that problem soils receive specialconsideration when tested and when test results are evaluated.1.6 All observed and calculated values shall conform to theguide for significant digits and rounding established in PracticeD6026.The procedures in Practice D6026 that are used tospecify how data are collected,recorded,and calculated areregarded as the industry standard.In addition,they are repre-sentative of the significant digits that should generally beretained.The procedures do not consider material variation,purpose for obtaining the data,special purpose studies,or anyconsiderations for the objectives of the user.Increasing orreducing the significant digits of reported data to be commen-surate with these considerations is common practice.Consid-eration of the significant digits to be used in analysis methodsfor engineering design is beyond the scope of this standard.1.6.1 The method used to specify how data are collected,calculated,or recorded in this standard is not directly related tothe accuracy to which the data can be applied in design or otheruses,or both.How one applies the results obtained using thisstandard is beyond its scope.1.7 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound unitspresented in brackets are to be regarded separately asstandard.The values stated in each system may not be exactequivalents;therefore,each system shall be used independentlyof the other.Combining values from the two systems mayresult in non-conformance with the standard.Reporting of testresults in units other than SI shall not be regarded as noncon-formance with this test method.1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:3D422 Test Method for Particle-Size Analysis of SoilsD653 Terminology Relating to Soil,Rock,and ContainedFluidsD854 Test Methods for Specific Gravity of Soil Solids byWater PycnometerD1587 Practice for Thin-Walled Tube Sampling of Soils forGeotechnical PurposesD2216 Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water(Moisture)Content of Soil and Rock by MassD2850 Test Method for Unconsolidated-Undrained TriaxialCompression Test on Cohesive Soils1This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D18 on Soil andRock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.09 on Cyclic andDynamic Properties of Soils.Current edition approved Nov.1,2013.Published December 2013.Originallyapproved in 1992.Last previous edition approved in 2011 as D5311 11.DOI:10.1520/D5311_D5311M-13.2The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to a list of references at the end ofthis standard.3For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandardsvolume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standardCopyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken