Discrete Element Simulations of Shallow Plate-Load Tests
Publication: International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 16, Issue 3
Abstract
Shallow plate-load tests were simulated using a two-dimensional discrete element procedure together with parameters calibrated from a series of biaxial compression experiments on aluminum rods. The deformation and force transmission characteristics within ground materials were investigated first, and then attentions were focused on studying the influences of the interparticle friction coefficient, the roughness of the loading plate, and the size of loading plate on the testing results, including the ultimate bearing capacity, the deformation behavior, and the failure mode. The well-known scale effect in plate-load tests was also analyzed from the perspectives of both continuum mechanics and discrete element method simulations. It was proven that the nonlinear strength behavior of the materials beneath the foundation is a possible source of the scale effect; however, this effect may be counterbalanced by the boundary restriction effect in laboratory experiments.
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Acknowledgments
This work was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC, Grant Numbers 91215301, 51209141, and 51379130). The financial support from Nanjing Hydraulic Research Institute (NHRI, Grant Number Y314011) is also greatly appreciated.
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Published In
International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 16 • Issue 3 • June 2016
Copyright
© 2016 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Nov 7, 2014
Accepted: Jul 15, 2015
Published online: Jan 5, 2016
Published in print: Jun 1, 2016
Discussion open until: Jun 5, 2016
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