A Modified Triaxial Apparatus for Soils under High-Frequency, Low-Amplitude Vibrations

Abstract A modified triaxial apparatus was developed to explore the behavior of cohesionless soil subjected to high-frequency, low-amplitude vibrations, such as those induced by high-speed trains. It was based on a conventional Bishop-type triaxial apparatus to utilize its existing static loading module. The major modification was an added dynamic loading module with a low-inertia linear voice coil actuator mounted coaxially with the vertical loading rod. Through a signal generator and an amplifier connected to the voice coil actuator, a vibration input with wide range of frequencies and amplitudes could be superimposed to a monotonic loading process. A series of tests under different conditions were performed to demonstrate the effectiveness and performance of the modified triaxial apparatus, with the focus being placed on the reduction of shear resistance and accumulative deformation of sand induced by high-frequency, low-amplitude vibrations.