Experimental investigation into variable density of granular material under deformation cycling

The experimental investigation into variations in density of quartz sand subjected to cyclic loading by a turning retaining wall has shown that the increasing number of loading cycles provokes expansion of a deformation zone inside a material along with a decrease in a material density. Based on measurements, the author has plotted local variations in relative volume θ of the deformation zone at different turn angles of the retaining wall. It is also shown that regular compaction and loosening zones tend to appear in the deformation zone under the pre-limit deformation.