Experimental Study of DMT Blade in Sand Using Particle Image Velocimetry

Abstract

In the study of geotechnical problems, numerical methods such as finite and discrete elements are progressively more used, sometimes overlooking experimental studies. Therefore, this work emphasizes the importance of physical experimentation, applying a digital image correlation (DIC) methodology. For this research, particle image velocimetry (PIV) was chosen using the GeoPIV-RG software. A model replicating the geometry of a full-scale DMT blade was used to evaluate its impact. An experimental setup was designed and built to recreate the driving of this geometry in dry and loose Bío-Bío sand, recording the process through photographs for analysis by PIV. Results show cumulative displacements, displacement patterns according to depth, and analysis of incremental shear deformation. A displacement direction analysis was carried out. It is concluded that the displacement pattern generated by its driving corresponds to an angle much smaller than what is reported for the CPT, and the incremental shear strain does not exceed 2% during the driving process.

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