Reply to Discussion by Makhnenko and Bondarenko on “On the Measurement of B for a Sandstone”

Excerpt

We thank Makhnenko and Bondarenko (2023) for their interest in our Technical Note, where we directly measured Skempton coefficient B in a stiff system using small (V_p/V_l ≈ 1) and large (V_p/V_l ≈ 100) specimens, with V_l = volume of drainage lines, valves, connections, and transducers (collectively referred to as the system) and V_p = volume of interconnected pores. It should be emphasized that measuring B for a specimen with V_p/V_l ≥ 100 is direct, while for smaller specimens (e.g. Table 1 in Makhnenko and Bondarenko 2023) the measurement requires an accounting of system response, which is independent of the tested material element. Further, the experimental system is regarded as linear and the important consideration for calibration is the accurate measurement of volume change within the system and calibration specimen. We respond to the four items discussed by Makhnenko and Bondarenko (2023). …