Strength and Dilatancy Behaviour of Granular Slag Sand

Abstract

This paper focuses on the shear strength and dilatancy properties of granular slag sand. Direct shear tests were conducted on sample slag sand collected from the JSW steel plant, Toranagallu of Bellary district. The different relative densities at which tests were conducted are 20%, 50%, and 80% respectively, with corresponding unit weights are 14.58 kN/m³, 15.27 kN/m³, and 16.03 kN/m³, respectively. All the direct shear tests were continued till the shear strain equals 40% in order to achieve the critical state. The dilatancy and shear strength characteristics of the slag sand sample were observed at different relative densities under different normal stresses ranging from 50 to 400 kPa. It was found that both the friction angle and dilatancy angle reduced with the decrease in the applied normal stress. Also based on a series of test results critical state frictional angle was evaluated, which is independent of normal stress and relative density. For the chosen slag sand sample, a correlation is established between the peak friction angle and the critical state friction angle in the present work. The study can be useful in assessing the stability of geostructures, wherein granular slag sand  is used to enhance engineering performance. The established correlation was finally compared with those established by various researchers.