Application of particle image velocimetry (PIV) to measure the displacement of sandy soil in laboratory

Abstract

In geotechnical engineering, it is important to measure soil displacement in soil specimens for all laboratory tests, in physical models or in the field. This data is usually recorded using a strain gauge attached to the soil sample during the tests.Particle image velocimetry (PIV) is extensively utilized for measuring displacement and flow velocity in fluid mechanics, yet its application in determining soil displacement during geotechnical laboratory tests is limited. This study seeks to validate PIV’s suitability for assessing sandy soil displacement under various saturation levels and grain sizes. Findings indicate that PIV effectively determines soil displacement with a precision of 0.13 mm. Interestingly, the degree of soil saturation did not impact PIV outcomes; however, soil homogeneity, as characterized by grain size distribution, compromised PIV method precision. This research sheds light on PIV’s potential in geotechnical applications, emphasizing its efficacy in quantifying soil displacement accurately. Moreover, it underscores the need for considering soil homogeneity when employing PIV for displacement measurements. Expanding PIV’s scope to include geotechnical studies could enhance understanding of soil behavior and aid in optimizing soil engineering practices.