An estimate of uncertainty in current laboratory pulse test practice

TY - JOUR

T1 - An estimate of uncertainty in current laboratory pulse test practice

AU - Arroyo, Marcos

AU - Greening, Paul D.

AU - Muir Wood, David

PY - 2003

Y1 - 2003

N2 - 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.

AB - 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.

M3 - Article

VL - 37

SP - 38

EP - 56

JO - Rivista Italiana di Geotecnica

JF - Rivista Italiana di Geotecnica

IS - 1

ER -