Effect of cementation on the small-strain parameters of sands

Natural cementation affects the properties of soils, the interpretation of in situ and laboratory test results, and the selection of criteria for geot echnical design. In this paper, published experimental studies are reviewed , a microscale analysis is presented of the effect of cementation on small- strain stiffness for distinct stress-cementation histories, and the effect of cementation on small-strain velocity and damping is experimentally studi ed. Observations include the prevailing effects of cementation over effecti ve stress, the coexistence of frictional and viscous losses, and the effect s of decementation when the medium is unloaded from the level of confinemen t prevailing during cementation.