Effect of Soil Grading on Results of Pressure Cell Measurement

Abstract

Despite all efforts made to study and deal with errors induced during pressure cell measurements in soils, there is still a vast uncertainty remaining in this field. One of these errors results from the grading of the surrounding media in which the pressure cell is installed. In this study, the grain size of the cell installation media and its effects on the measurements and the results fluctuations are evaluated. For this purpose, PFC-2D software was used to numerically simulate the laboratory models and compare their resultant outcomes as well as studying the accuracy of the numerical modeling. Applying a trial and error procedure and considering simulation restrictions, an appropriate conformity was achieved between numerical simulation and laboratory results. Results of the numerical modeling of fine- and coarse-grained materials showed an average error of 25% and 50%, respectively. The results indicated that in smaller particle sizes, a more uniform pressure is developed in the pressure cell.