Sources of Uncertainty in Bender Element Testing: Execution and Interpretation Challenges in Reconstituted Sandy Soils
This paper discusses the principal sources of uncertainty in the execution and interpretation of Bender Element (BE) tests conducted on reconstituted sand samples. Based on the experience accumulated by the Geotechnical Laboratory of the University of Coimbra, the study addresses three critical stag...
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| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Geotechnics |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-7094/5/2/39 |
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| author | António M. G. Pedro Paulino Dias Santos Luís Araújo Santos Paulo Coelho |
| author_facet | António M. G. Pedro Paulino Dias Santos Luís Araújo Santos Paulo Coelho |
| author_sort | António M. G. Pedro |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This paper discusses the principal sources of uncertainty in the execution and interpretation of Bender Element (BE) tests conducted on reconstituted sand samples. Based on the experience accumulated by the Geotechnical Laboratory of the University of Coimbra, the study addresses three critical stages of the testing process: sample preparation, test execution, and result interpretation. For each stage, the key challenges are identified, and potential solutions are proposed. Particular emphasis is placed on the control of relative density and sample saturation during preparation, as well as on factors affecting signal quality and time lag of the system during test execution. The interpretation of the results is analyzed with respect to the limitations of currently employed methods. The overall reliability of the procedures employed throughout the testing process is also assessed, with the results providing guidance for improving the accuracy and consistency of BE test outcomes. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2c16d6bfbec3463da8ad0b9095f8dbfb |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2673-7094 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Geotechnics |
| spelling | doaj-art-2c16d6bfbec3463da8ad0b9095f8dbfb2025-08-20T03:24:33ZengMDPI AGGeotechnics2673-70942025-06-01523910.3390/geotechnics5020039Sources of Uncertainty in Bender Element Testing: Execution and Interpretation Challenges in Reconstituted Sandy SoilsAntónio M. G. Pedro0Paulino Dias Santos1Luís Araújo Santos2Paulo Coelho3Department of Civil Engineering, Advanced Production and Intelligent Systems (ARISE), Institute for Sustainability and Innovation in Structural Engineering (ISISE), University of Coimbra, 3030-788 Coimbra, PortugalCOWI A/S, D-20457 Hamburg, GermanyResearch Group on Sustainability, Cities and Urban Intelligence (SUScita), Polytechnic University of Coimbra, 3045-093 Coimbra, PortugalDepartment of Civil Engineering, Research Centre for Territory, Transports and Environment (CITTA), University of Coimbra, 3030-788 Coimbra, PortugalThis paper discusses the principal sources of uncertainty in the execution and interpretation of Bender Element (BE) tests conducted on reconstituted sand samples. Based on the experience accumulated by the Geotechnical Laboratory of the University of Coimbra, the study addresses three critical stages of the testing process: sample preparation, test execution, and result interpretation. For each stage, the key challenges are identified, and potential solutions are proposed. Particular emphasis is placed on the control of relative density and sample saturation during preparation, as well as on factors affecting signal quality and time lag of the system during test execution. The interpretation of the results is analyzed with respect to the limitations of currently employed methods. The overall reliability of the procedures employed throughout the testing process is also assessed, with the results providing guidance for improving the accuracy and consistency of BE test outcomes.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-7094/5/2/39bender elementssandy soilssample preparationinterpretation methods |
| spellingShingle | António M. G. Pedro Paulino Dias Santos Luís Araújo Santos Paulo Coelho Sources of Uncertainty in Bender Element Testing: Execution and Interpretation Challenges in Reconstituted Sandy Soils Geotechnics bender elements sandy soils sample preparation interpretation methods |
| title | Sources of Uncertainty in Bender Element Testing: Execution and Interpretation Challenges in Reconstituted Sandy Soils |
| title_full | Sources of Uncertainty in Bender Element Testing: Execution and Interpretation Challenges in Reconstituted Sandy Soils |
| title_fullStr | Sources of Uncertainty in Bender Element Testing: Execution and Interpretation Challenges in Reconstituted Sandy Soils |
| title_full_unstemmed | Sources of Uncertainty in Bender Element Testing: Execution and Interpretation Challenges in Reconstituted Sandy Soils |
| title_short | Sources of Uncertainty in Bender Element Testing: Execution and Interpretation Challenges in Reconstituted Sandy Soils |
| title_sort | sources of uncertainty in bender element testing execution and interpretation challenges in reconstituted sandy soils |
| topic | bender elements sandy soils sample preparation interpretation methods |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-7094/5/2/39 |
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