Development and performance assessment of a novel mechatronic assisted air pluviation system for reconstitution of cohesionless soils

Abstract

Analyzing geotechnical problems associated with granular material like cohesionless soil typically necessitate constitution of a physical model exhibiting a homogenous soil structure. Such well-conditioned model aids in reliable and reasonable interpretation of soil’s in-situ behavior under controlled conditions. However, such well-conditioned model needs to be reconstituted multiple times with a high degree of consistency. To this motive, the present study aims at the development and performance assessment of a novel mechatronic assisted air pluviation system (MAPS). The modular design of MAPS and the user commanded mechatronics integrated within its operational ecosystem were smartly used to facilitate a uniform and controlled reconstitution of specimen from a cohesionless soil. The reconstitution performance of MAPS was assessed by conducting several air pluviation trails with a poorly graded fine sand (D₅₀ = 0.22 mm), and further examining the effect of pluviation control parameter such as height of fall, sieve porosity, number of diffuser sieve, and diffuser ratio on characteristics of reconstituted sand. A wide range of relative density, ranging from 12 to 90% was achieved for reconstituted specimen upon utilizing the developed MAPS. Further, the mean coefficient of variation in relative density in horizontal and vertical direction of specimen was found to be well within acceptable limit of 5% and 7% respectively.