Shear Zone Characterization in Sands by Carbowax Impregnation

A procedure is presented for determining the void ratio distribution of very small zones in soil by carbowax impregnation. If the wax is injected slowly, complete filling of voids occurs and volume measurements become unnecessary. Thus, even irregularly shaped volumes can easily be characterized. The technique was employed in determining the void ratio distribution in the intrarib region of a ribbed inclusion in sand during direct cyclic shearing. The measured void radios supported magnified video observations.