Investigation of the Effect of Relative Density on the Dynamic Modulus and Damping Ratio for Coarse Grained Soil
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsOverall I am satisfied with the article, how it was written and how it was done. Due to the limitation of the number of pages, I think the information in the theory section should be reduced a little because the definitions provided are very basic concepts of soil dynamics and it is expected that the expert reader will be aware of them. After shortening that section, it is recommended to add the following items to the article:
- Add a subsection and a comparative analysis with existing models/papers
- Add a subsection to discuss about the limitations of the study and your suggestions for the future. For example, one of the most important factors affecting the dynamic behaviour of coarse grains is the shape of the particles. In general, this paper did not discuss other potential confounding factors that can affect soil dynamic properties, such as particle shape, moisture content, temperature, history of loading, which should be mentioned in the limitations section. Also, the density range is a relatively small range that needs to be mentioned.
Author Response
General comments
C1. Overall I am satisfied with the article, how it was written and how it was done. Due to the limitation of the number of pages, I think the information in the theory section should be reduced a little because the definitions provided are very basic concepts of soil dynamics and it is expected that the expert reader will be aware of them.
R1. Thanks a lot for your positive comments and suggestions for us to improve the quality of our manuscript. We have removed some content from lines 129-174 and 227-271.
Minor comments
C1. Add a subsection and a comparative analysis with existing models/papers.
R1. Thank you for your suggestion. As we have not found a suitable calculation model for coarse-grained soil, we are unable to conduct comparative analysis. We hope for your understanding. C2. "It is well known" in line 132 should be removed.
C2. Add a subsection to discuss about the limitations of the study and your suggestions for the future. For example, one of the most important factors affecting the dynamic behaviour of coarse grains is the shape of the particles. In general, this paper did not discuss other potential confounding factors that can affect soil dynamic properties, such as particle shape, moisture content, temperature, history of loading, which should be mentioned in the limitations section. Also, the density range is a relatively small range that needs to be mentioned.
R2. Thank you for your suggestion. Particle shape will be the focus of our next research. This article focuses on the influence of relative density on the dynamic properties of coarse-grained soil, and therefore variable controls have been applied to other potential influencing factors. The mention of limiting factors may seem off topic, and we hope for your understanding.
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsComments for author File: 
Comments.docx
Author Response
2.1 Rephrase sentences to improve flow and readability. For example, rephrase Line 18 from "To investigate the evolution law..." to "To investigate the behavior of the dynamic elastic modulus and damping ratio under varying relative densities..."
The author’s answer:
We feel great thanks for your professional review work on our article. According to your nice suggestions, we have made extensive corrections to our previous draft. For example, rephrase Line 18 from " To investigate the evolution law of dynamic elastic modulus and damping ratio in coarse-grained soil under different relative densities ..." to " To investigate the behavior of the dynamic elastic modulus and damping ratio in coarse-grained under varying relative densities…"
2.2 Line 65: Clarify whether the dynamic modulus covers both the dynamic elastic modulus and dynamic shear modulus. Ensure consistency in terminology throughout the paper.
The author’s answer:
We feel great thanks for your professional review work on our article. The dynamic modulus covers both the dynamic elastic modulus and dynamic shear modulus. In order to accurately express，rephrase Line 56 from “the dynamic modulus” to “the dynamic elastic modulus,the dynamic shear modulus and damping ratio”.
2.3 In the Introduction section, provide details on whether any scholar has used the DYNTTS testing machine and what their findings were.
The author’s answer:
Thank you for your suggestion. The DYNTTS three-axis testing machine is a universal instrument manufactured according to the three-axis testing machine standard, and is not fundamentally different from other three-axis instruments. Therefore, the research results of other three-axis instruments are also applicable to this instrument and do not need to be separately explained in the introduction. Please understand.2.4 For Figure 1(a), add labels for each system and indicate where the sample is placed.
The author’s answer:
Thank you for your suggestion. We have added labels for each system and indicated the location of the samples in Figure 1.
2.5 In Figure 3, increase the font size of the X-axis and Y-axis titles as they are currently too small.
The author’s answer:
Thank you for your suggestion. We have expanded the titles of the X and Y axes in Figure 3..
2.6 Line 115: Explain why the sample densities of 0.9, 0.7, 0.5, and 0.3 were chosen. Provide references if available.
The author’s answer:
Because the sample density is less than 0.3, it is too loose and does not match the actual engineering situation. For the convenience of data analysis, we used the same density interval, so we chose densities of 0.9, 0.7, 0.5, and 0.3.
2.7 Clarify the radius of the sample cylinder mentioned in Line 120 and Line 159—is it 28 cm or 14 cm?
The author’s answer:
The inner diameter of the sample is its diameter, which is 28cm. Therefore, the radius of the sample is 14cm..
2.8 Update the title of Table 1 to "Dry Density Physical Parameters."
The author’s answer:
Thank you for your suggestion. We have Updated the title of Table 1 to "Dry Density Physical Parameters."
2.9 Line 181: Provide a reference for the standard mentioned.
The author’s answer:
We feel great thanks for your professional review work on our article. The determination criteria for experimental parameters are detailed in the Standard for Soil Test Method (GB/T50123-2019), and we have added references to line 137.
2.10 Line 181: Explain why a diameter of 300 mm was chosen for the samples, as different sizes can significantly impact the testing results.
The author’s answer:
We feel great thanks for your professional review work on our article. The reason for the sample size of 300mm is that the standard sample size of the instrument is 300mm, which meets the general standard for triaxial testing.
2.11 Lines 184-196: Describe how the environmental temperature was controlled during the tests.
The author’s answer:
This experiment controls the ambient temperature by maintaining a constant water temperature. We have provided additional explanations in lines 154-155.
2.12 Line 219: Explain why the third cycle value was chosen instead of the average value.
The author’s answer:
We were really sorry for our careless mistakes. Thank you for your reminder. The data from average value was selected for analysis.
2.13 Clarify whether Figure 5, which shows a standard dynamic stress-strain loop, belongs to Section 3 or represents your testing results.
The author’s answer:
We were really sorry for our careless mistakes. Figure 5 shows the standard dynamic stress-strain hysteresis curve of the soil, which we have indicated on line 189. The experimental results in this article also conform to the curve, so existing theories can be used for calculation.
2.14 Discuss the application of functions 7-10 in your computations.
The author’s answer:
Formula 7-10 is used to illustrate the specific calculation methods for the data in sections 3.2, 3.3, and 3.4.
2.15 Lines 278-280: It is difficult to discern this result from Figure 6. Provide a clearer explanation.
The author’s answer:
We were really sorry for our careless mistakes. We have made modifications on lines 190-192.
2.16 For Figure 6, using the same scale for the X-axis and Y-axis is recommended for consistency.
The author’s answer:
Thank you for your suggestion. Due to the tight curves in Figure 6 (a) and the different proportions of the Y-axis, it is for the convenience of viewing. We hope for your understanding.
2.17 In Figure 7, explain why there is no significant difference in S1, S2, and S3 for densities 0.7 and 0.9.
The author’s answer:
Due to the relatively high density, the range of variation of the dynamic shear modulus ratio is relatively small, so there is no significant difference in the figure 7.
2.18 Table 2: The results of equation 4 seem more related to equation 19. Provide clarification.
The author’s answer:
We were really sorry for our careless mistakes. We have made modifications on lines 249.
2.19 Table 3 appears to have more relevance to equation 20 instead of equation 5. Update the references accordingly.
The author’s answer:
We were really sorry for our careless mistakes. We have made modifications on lines 275.
2.20 It is recommended to refer to equation 20 consistently to avoid confusion with citations.
The author’s answer:
Thank you for your suggestion .We have made modifications on lines 279 and 284.
2.21 Update the Author Contribution and Funding sections.
The author’s answer:
We were really sorry for our careless mistakes.我们已经对作者贡献和基金部分进行了更新。
2.22 In the conclusion, elaborate on the paper's impact and suggest areas for future research.
The author’s answer:
Thank you for your suggestion .We have made modifications on lines 308-310.
2.23 Ensure all figures have a consistent frame style, either all with frames or all without, for uniformity.
The author’s answer:
Thank you for your suggestion. We have made modifications to Figures 8-9.
Round 2
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThe authors effectively address all the comments raised during the review process, providing thorough responses and making necessary revisions to improve the clarity and robustness of their study.
Author Response
General comments
C1.The authors effectively address all the comments raised during the review process, providing thorough responses and making necessary revisions to improve the clarity and robustness of their study.
R1. Thanks a lot for your positive comments and suggestions for us to improve the quality of our manuscript.
