Development patterns of the dynamic elastic modulus of saturated coral sand under different drainage conditions

Long-term cyclic loading can have a significant effect on the modulus of sand, and the influence on saturated coral sand has yet to be established. In this paper, the significant influence of non-plastic fines content ( FC ) and relative density ( D r ) on dynamic elastic modulus ( E ) of saturated coral sand has been evaluated by a series of cyclic triaxial drainage tests. The results show that the dynamic elastic modulus increases rapidly at the beginning of loading; then the growth slows down and finally stabilizes. In general, the development of E is influenced collectively by FC, D r and cyclic stress ratio (CSR). The initial dynamic elastic modulus E d-1 and steady-state dynamic elastic modulus E d-s increase with the increase of D r , and decrease as FC increases. The linear fitting equations are given by introducing the equivalent skeleton void ratio e sk *. Furthermore, the relative dynamic elastic modulus E r is defined as the ratio of E d-N to E d-s , and the prediction equation for E r was developed to provide a basis for the engineering mechanical parameters of coral sands under long-term loads.