Determi̇nati̇on of sti̇ffness of sand by usi̇ng geogauge

Quality control in compaction of soil layers in applications such as dam construction and highway construction etc. is essential. Humboldt Geoagauge is a device developed for this purpose and is widely used. In this study, laboratory model tests on poorly-graded clean medium sand (SP) are performed in order to determine (i) relationship between GeoGauge measurement and relative density and (ii) relationship between GeoGauge measurement and stiffness moduli obtained from plate load test. A linear relationship between GeoGauge measurement and relative density (for Dr≥%40) is found. GeoGauge measurement is found very close to unloading modulus in all cases (EG/EU=0.93) while relationship between GeoGauge measurement and average secant modulus depends on relative density. Ratio of GeoGauge measurement to average secant modulus is determined as 9.71 for medium dense sand and 4.03 for very dense sand. Plate load tests and GeoGauge tests are modeled by using PLAXIS 2D Finite Element Code. Analysis results and test results are compared and evaluated.