Effect of plate – shaped particles on general behavioralcharacteristics of sandy soils

The mechanical properties of coarse-grained soils are influenced by numerous factors, including grain size, mineralogy, surface roughness, void ratio, grain shape, stress conditions, and water content. Despite the extensive studies conducted to better understand the behavior of coarse-grained soils, additional research is required to fully comprehend the behavior of soils containing grains with varying shapes. It is known that flaky-shaped grains influence the overall behavior of soils where both flaky and non-flaky grains coexist. In soils with flaky and non-flaky grains, the micro-level orientation of flaky grains impacts macro-level behaviors such as void ratio, compressibility, and strength properties. Some hypotheses exist in the literature regarding the mechanism by which the micro-level orientation of flaky grains affects macro-level soil behavior. Observations and measurements using imaging and processing techniques planned within the scope of this study aim to provide additional information and evidence regarding the macro-level implications of the micro-level orientation characteristics of flaky grains. An experimental study program is planned to investigate soil specimens prepared under specific conditions, using imaging and processing techniques such as tomography, X-RAY tomography, EMR, and section imaging to analyze the arrangement and orientation of grains in three different scenarios. In the first scenario, the orientation characteristics of soil grains will be examined under general geostatic conditions. In the second scenario, the orientation characteristics of soil grains under conditions transitioning from geostatic to shear conditions will be investigated. In the third scenario, the orientation characteristics of soil grains under shear conditions will be analyzed. As outlined above, this study aims to contribute to the literature by determining the micro-level orientation characteristics of soil grains and explaining their impact on the macro-level behavior of soils under three conditions: geostatic, transition from geostatic to shear, and shear conditions. This will be achieved using imaging and image processing techniques such as X-RAY tomography, EMR, and section imaging.