Inspection of various grain morphology parameters based on wave velocity measurements on three different granular materials

In this study, correlations between the shear wave velocity of granular materials and various descriptors of grain morphology are investigated. Based on a comprehensive study of the literature different shape descriptors used in previous studies are summarized. The suitability of the various grain shape descriptors to describe the shear wave velocities of three materials with significantly different grain shape, crushed glass, natural sand and glass beads, is analyzed. The shear wave velocities are obtained from a series of torsional resonant column tests under different confining pressures. Recommendations regarding the suitability of certain morphological parameters are given. Lastly, a novel graphical presentation by means of the grain shape distribution curve is proposed, which eases the comparison of various granular materials and provides an information about the range of a certain grain shape descriptor which can be quantified by a shape uniformity coefficient. Correlations of this coefficient with the shear wave velocity data are also explored and found to yield comparable trends like the mean grain shape which has been employed in past studies. •Correlations between the shear wave velocity of granular soils and various grain morphology descriptors are investigated.•The shear wave velocities are obtained from torsional resonant column tests under different confining pressures.•Recommendations on the suitability of certain morphological parameters in capturing the variation of grain shape on the wave velocity are given.•Furthermore, information regarding the grain shape distribution should also be provided for capturing the grain shape holistically.