Review of High Strain Rate Testing of Granular Soils

This review provides an overview of testing techniques related to high strain rate (HSR) loading of granular media, in support of the increasing interest in civilian and military applications related to transient loading on sand. The intrinsic properties of granular soils are shown to be rate dependent. The framework for assessing rate dependent behavior of granular soils is presented. Techniques for applying HSR loading including uniaxial and triaxial compression configurations are discussed. Critical issues related to inertial and wave propagation effects as well as boundary effects are highlighted. In addition, options for test setup and measuring response are described both with respect to capabilities and drawbacks. The most relevant studies are summarized, but gaps and inconsistencies remain in the available literature.