Compressibility of Changi sand in K₀ consolidation

The one-dimensional compressibility of sand is an important property for the estimation of settlement or deformation of sand deposits. The K₀ value of sand is also an important design parameter. Experimental results are presented in this paper to study the compressibility of sand in K₀ consolidation tests. The K₀ consolidation tests were carried out using a triaxial cell and a plane-strain apparatus. Specimens prepared using both the moist tamping and the water sedimentation methods were tested. The testing data demonstrate that the type of testing apparatus does not affect the K₀ measurement if proper boundary conditions are imposed in the tests. The data also show that the compressibility and the K₀ value of loose sand specimens prepared using the moist tamping method are very sensitive to the variation of void ratio. The K₀ values measured from these tests do not agree with the K₀ values calculated from Jaky’s equation. The compressibility and K₀ values of sand obtained from tests on specimens prepared using different preparation methods are different which may reflect the influence of soil fabrics or structures on the one dimensional compression behavior of sand.