Use of Material Interfaces in DEM to Simulate Soil Fracture Propagation in Mode I Cracking
Publication: International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 11, Issue 4
Abstract
Mode I fracture is common in geomechanics in desiccation cracking, hydraulic fracture, and pressuremeter testing. The cohesive crack model has been used extensively and successfully in numerical modeling of such fracture in concrete and steel but has not been applied in modeling of soil fracture to the same extent. It is argued that the cohesive crack model may be more appropriate than linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) for soils because it takes into account finite tensile strength and any likely plasticity during fracture. With special reference to the Universal Distinct Element Code (UDEC) computer program, a methodology of using interfaces in the distinct element method (DEM) of analysis to model fracture has been validated herein, and this approach is considered to be useful in geomechanical modeling applications. The methodology is based on the cohesive crack approach and shows how softening laws could be back-calculated from load-displacement curves of test specimens. It has been validated using three geometries: a tension test with a rectangular cross section, a notched three-point bend beam, and a compact tension test. Approximate softening laws for St. Albans clay from Canada are proposed.
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Published In
International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 11 • Issue 4 • August 2011
Pages: 314 - 322
Copyright
© 2011 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Sep 23, 2009
Accepted: Sep 8, 2010
Published online: Sep 23, 2010
Published in print: Aug 1, 2011
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