Abstract
A series of pulse tests were performed in an unconfined sample of remoulded ault clay. Three aspects were investigated: the influence of the arrival time selection method, the influence of source to receiver configuration - azimuth and distance - and the influence of input signal characteristics-type and apparent frequency. The very high variation registered in axial measurements was a surprise. The main variance factor relates to differences between methods - up to 100% moduli uncertainty - but even for a fixed method there is substantial uncertainty - between 20% and 40% in moduli. Both distance and signal characteristics seem to affect the recorded velocity. The usual bulk plane wave model that underlies pulse test interpretation is unable to explain any of these facts.
| Original language | English |
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| Pages (from-to) | 38-56 |
| Number of pages | 19 |
| Journal | Rivista Italiana di Geotecnica |
| Volume | 37 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - 2003 |