Interpretation of the limits in shear strength in binary granular mixtures

Abstract

Many natural slopes and rockfill structures are made of a mixture of rock fragments and sand-size particles. To analyze the stability of such natural slopes and rockfills, a knowledge of how rock–sand mixtures develop their shear strength is needed. Laboratory tests conducted on mixtures of glass beads of two different sizes (5 and 0.4 mm) have indicated that their shear strength depends upon the relative concentration by weight of the large and small beads in the mixtures. If the concentration by weight of the large beads is greater than 70%, the shear strength of the mixtures is controlled by the frictional resistance of the large beads. If the concentration of the large beads is less than 40%, the shear strength of the mixtures is controlled by the frictional resistance of the small beads. If the concentration of the large beads is between 40 and 70%, the shear strength of the mixture is partially controlled by the frictional resistance provided by the large beads in the mixtures. These limits are very similar to those reported for rock–sand mixtures. To date, no explanation has been put forward to account for why these limits exist. This study presents an explanation for their existence. The explanation is based on the porosity developed by the mixtures and the type of structural support provided by the coarse and fine grains.Key words: shear strength, granular mixtures, porosity, fabric, compaction.