An energy-injecting virtual-mass (EIVM) resonant column system was employed to investigate the small strain behavior of dry sand; and the effects of effective mean normal stress

density of soil samples

amplitude of shear strain

as well as number of loading cycles on shear modulus and damping ratio are studied. The test results show that the shear modulus increases with effective mean normal stress and soil density

while the damping ratio exhibits the opposite response. Moreover

the effects of effective mean normal stress on the small strain behavior of dry sand are more than those of soil density. As the shear strain increases

the shear modulus become smaller; but the damping ratio become larger. The number of loading cycles has no significant effects on shear modulus

but it influences the damping ratio to a quite extent.