Influence of cyclic loading history on small strain shear modulus of saturated clays

Small strain shear modulus Gmax is an essential parameter in soil dynamics, and it is usually estimated based on the Hardin and Richart equation. However, many previous researches on sands have indicated that the Hardin and Richart equation does not consider the influences of cyclic loading history on Gmax. In this paper, effects of cyclic loading history on Gmax of saturated clays under undrained conditions are studied using a combination device of piezoelectric-ceramic bender element system and cyclic triaxial apparatus. The dynamic pre-loading includes both relatively high amplitudes of cyclic stresses and cyclic strains. Gmax without cyclic loading history is also investigated for the comparison purpose. Test results show that, at the same effective stress, both cyclic strain history and cyclic stress history will induce reduction of Gmax compared to the corresponding Gmax values with non-cyclic loading effects. In strain-controlled tests, the reduction of Gmax is slight and relatively stable; while in stress-controlled tests, the reduction of Gmax increases suddenly and remarkably when the effective stresses degrade to a certain degree. The comparison between double amplitude axial strain and residual excess pore water pressure behaviors show that the remarkable reduction of Gmax can demonstrate the cyclic failure of saturated clays. •Gmax in stress-controlled tests has a remarkable reduction.•Gmax in strain-controlled has a moderate reduction.•The remarkable reduction of Gmax can demonstrate the cyclic failure of saturated clays.