Soil Dynamics Lab

The Soil Dynamics Laboratory is one of the oldest laboratories in DEQ, IIT Roorkee, India. This laboratory provides suitable equipments and facilities to work on the dynamic strength and stability of soils by evaluating dynamic soil properties, index properties of soils and liquefaction resistance of soils. Highly sensitive element test facilities such as Resonant Column, Cyclic Triaxial, Bender Element are available within this lab. Field testing and geophysical testing i.e. SPT, CPT, Plate Load Test, MASW and Block Vibration Test facilities are also available in laboratory which provides a great research scope for the students. Model testing facility such as Liquefaction Table, Small Scaled Centrifuge test is also available within this laboratory.

Test Facilities

Cyclic Triaxial System (CTS)

This is used to study the dynamic properties of soils in high strain range and Liquefaction of soils. The equipment can conduct both stress and strain controlled tests. Fully automatic transducer include for load, displacement, pore water pressure and volume change. Tests can be done in wide range of frequency and amplitudes.

Resonant Column Apparatus (RCA)

For the measurements of dynamic soil properties i.e. Shear wave velocity, Shear modulus, Young Modulus and Damping ratio (D), at small strain level. The only test equipment witch can estimate Poisson's ratio of the soil.

Bender Elements (BE)

Bender elements (BE) are used to generate and measure maximum shear wave velocity in the soil. The maximum shear modulus (Gmax) can easily calculated by using available equation. The advantage of using BE is in its simplicity and ease of use.

Liquefaction Table

Salient Features:
Indigenously Designed (1977), Simple and Robust, Visualization of Sample during Liquefaction like Field condition, 1-D Shaking (Sinusoidal Wave), Maxi. Horizontal Acceleration: 20 g, Platform Size: 105 cm60cm60cm, Frequency: 0 to 10 Hz, Pore water Pressure: Measurement: using Piezometer or Transducers at Centre of the Tank.

Small Geotechnical Centrifuge

Salient Features:
Capacity: 3g-ton; Acceleration: 500 g (big head), 4000 g (small head), Radius: 0.45 m (big head); 0.1 m (small head), Rotation Speed: 1000 RPM (big head); 4500 RPM (small head).

Standard Penetration Test

Salient Features:
The SPT Widely used Field Test, Used for both static & dynamic properties, Soil sample collected, Capacity 30 m depth, Liquefaction potential of sites.

CPT and Piezo Cone

The Cone Penetration Test is field equipment to measure the penetration resistance of soils. (tip resistance and skin friction). Piezo cone measure pore water pressure.

Multichannel Analysis of Surface Waves (MASW)

The shear wave velocity with depth profile is determined by using MASW in the field. Advantages of MASW is that this is estimated without any disturbance of subsurface. No drilling is required and can go up to 50m depth.

Soil Spy Rosina and Tromino

Multichannel digital seismic acquisition system: extremely light, sensitive and versatile.

Block Vibration for Pile Load Test

Salient Features:
Indigenously designed with Motor, Oscillator and Power Supply, Both Horizontal & Vertical modes of Vibrations, Natural Frequencies of Soil-Pile System, Frequency Range: 0 to 5 Hz, Capable of testing up to 600 mm diameter concrete pile.

Research Area

Seismic Behavior of Shallow Foundations on Slopes

Research Scholar - Sukanta Das
Supervisor - Prof. B. K. Maheshwari

In the present study, a small scaled model test has been developed for the estimation of static and seismic bearing capacity & settlement of shallow foundations on slopes. In experimental study, the tank size of 1.05x0.6x0.6m to be used. An incremental load is applied over the slope for static case. In the presence of foundations loads, the model has been excited with a sinusoidal load to know the settlement. These behavior of shallow foundations on slopes has been studied in dry as well as saturated conditions.

Experimental Studies on Soil Reinforced with Vertical Drains for Liquefaction Mi

Research Scholar - P. Gowtham
Supervisor - Prof. B. K. Maheshwari

The present study aims to evaluate, the efficiency of reinforced vertical drains ground subjected to sequential acceleration conditions. Shaking table test will be performed on local Solani River sand with varying relative density subjected to different acceleration conditions. Improvement in the liquefaction resistance of ground due to vertical drains will be examined.

Dynamic Properties of Sand at Small Strain using Resonant Column Apparatus (RCA)

Research Scholar - Sukanta Das
Supervisor - Prof. B. K. Maheshwari

The dynamic soil properties play a significant role for designing of various geotechnical structures. The strain dependent dynamic soil properties influence by different parameters such as grain size of soil, confining pressure, relative density plasticity index, type of loading and water content etc. The effects of different factors as confining pressure, relative density and saturation has been investigated.

Liquefaction Resistance of Sands using Experimental and Numerical Approach

Research Scholar - Aparna Kanth
Supervisor - Prof. B. K. Maheshwari

Using Cyclic Triaxial Test apparatus, samples can be tested under both monotonic and cyclic loading, under both drained and undrained conditions. The behavior of saturated and dry samples of Solani sand is studied using Cyclic Triaxial. Both monotonic and cyclic triaxial tests were conducted under undrained condition, which occurs when pore pressure is not allowed to drain out of the soil, leading to generation of excess pore pressure. This generated excess pore water pressure when reaches the value of initial effective confining pressure, defines the occurrence of initiation of liquefaction.