Sand strength for back-analysis of pull-out tests at large displacement

Abstract

Pull-out test data are reported for two textured, planar inclusions embedded in sand. Comparison of measured and back-calculated values of pull-out resistance, and also of the lateral stress on the front wall of the box due to pull-out, support the belief that a plane strain condition prevails at large displacement. The study demonstrates that it is important to account for stress dependency of the friction angle in analysis of tests performed at a normal effective stress less than 50 kPa.