Variation of elastic shear modulus of sands due to cyclic loadings: the impact of sample preparation methods

Abstract In soil mechanics and geotechnical engineering, the influence of soil fabric on mechanical properties is a topic of fundamental importance, albeit one that is inherently complicated. This paper examines the evolution of small-strain shear modulus G 0 in saturated sands subjected to a sequence of long-term drained cyclic loadings, considering various initial soil fabrics induced by sample preparations methods, including moist tamping, dry tamping, dry deposition, and water sedimentation. The evolution trend of G 0 with loading cycles is intricately influenced by a combination of factors, including the initial soil fabric, specimen density, and cyclic stress amplitude ratio. Microscale pore size distribution of sand specimens, prepared using various methods and at different densities, was also quantified through X-ray technology to enhance the analysis and interpretation of the experimental findings (127 words).