Hierarchical Modeling Method for DEM Simulation and Its Application in Soil–Pile–Cap Interaction and Impact Case
Publication: International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 19, Issue 7
Abstract
By developing a hierarchical modeling method, using discrete element analysis software PFC3D, a discrete-element method (DEM) model can be built and solved more efficiently. In this method, smaller particles are used for the concerned part, medium-sized particles are used in the transition zone, and larger particles are used for the part that is close to the model boundary. By adjusting the micromechanical parameters of the particles through simulated triaxial tests, the macroscopic mechanical properties of the soils constituted by different-sized particles are kept consistent. This method can be applied to study the soil–structure interaction problems with the DEM method by saving computation cost. The proposed method is verified by a two-dimensional (2D) simulation of a laboratory pile load test. This method is then further applied to investigate the pile–soil–cap interaction problem focusing on the pile cap effects. A geohazard-related impact case is also analyzed using this method.
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Acknowledgments
This research project was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (11672066). The authors are greatly appreciated for this support, which made this study possible.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 19 • Issue 7 • July 2019
Copyright
© 2019 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Dec 8, 2017
Accepted: Mar 4, 2019
Published online: May 8, 2019
Published in print: Jul 1, 2019
Discussion open until: Oct 8, 2019
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