Coupled Effects of Particle Shape and Grain-Scale Deformability on Repose Angle of Sand–Rubber Granule Mixture
Publication: International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 24, Issue 11
Abstract
Particle shape and grain-scale deformability play key roles in controlling the response of granular material; however, in the literature, the effects of these parameters have generally been evaluated separately. In this context, this study attempts to investigate the coupled effects of these parameters on the repose angle of the sand–rubber mixture using the discrete-element method. For this purpose, the realistic shapes of three different sands and two different rubbers were reflected in the simulations. The grain-scale deformability of rubber particles was modeled by connecting the ball-cluster structure with the linear parallel bond contact model. In addition, to clearly distinguish the role of deformability in the response, the rubber particles were simulated also using a rigid clump model. The parameters of the model were validated using different tests for grain and sample scales. A series of numerical analyses were conducted, and repose angles were determined using image processing techniques. The variation of repose angle was correlated with porosity in the sample scale. The contribution of interparticle friction and interlocking mechanism on the repose angle was revealed using the coordination number and anisotropy coefficient of the contacts in the microscale. The results show that the angle of repose increases with increasing irregularity of the particles. Even though the interlocking mechanism is weakened by the addition of soft rubber, there is an increase in the repose angle of the mixtures thanks to the superior interparticle friction properties of the rubber particles. The results indicate that a high repose angle can be constituted by controlling the particle shape and deformability parameters.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or codes that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Acknowledgments
The numerical software utilized in this research is made possible by funding from the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkiye (TUBITAK) with Project number 223M081.
References
Alshibli, K. A., and S. Sture. 2000. “Shear band formation in plane strain experiments of sand.” J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng. 126: 495–503. https://doi.org/10.1061/(asce)1090-0241(2000)126:6(495).
Anastasiadis, A., K. Senetakis, and K. Pitilakis. 2012. “Small-strain shear modulus and damping ratio of sand–rubber and gravel–rubber mixtures.” Geotech. Geol. Eng. 30: 363–382. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-011-9473-2.
Ari, A., and S. Akbulut. 2022. “Effect of particle size and shape on shear strength of sand–rubber granule mixtures.” Granular Matter 24 (4): 126. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10035-022-01287-7.
Asadi, M., A. Mahboubi, and K. Thoeni. 2018. “Discrete modeling of sand–tire mixture considering grain-scale deformability.” Granular Matter 20 (2): 18. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10035-018-0791-4.
Bathurst, R. J., and L. Rothenburg. 1990. “Observations on stress–force–fabric relationships in idealized granular materials.” Mech. Mater. 9 (1): 65–80. https://doi.org/10.1016/0167-6636(90)90030-J.
Binaree, T., E. Azéma, N. Estrada, M. Renouf, and I. Preechawuttipong. 2020. “Combined effects of contact friction and particle shape on strength properties and microstructure of sheared granular media.” Phys. Rev. E 102 (2): 022901. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.102.022901.
Chen, H., S. Zhao, and X. Zhou. 2020. “DEM investigation of angle of repose for super-ellipsoidal particles.” Particuology 50: 53–66. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.partic.2019.05.005.
Cheng, Z., J. Wang, and W. Li. 2020. “The micro-mechanical behaviour of sand–rubber mixtures under shear: An experimental study based on X-ray micro-tomography.” Soils Found. 60 (5): 1251–1268. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sandf.2020.08.001.
Chew, K., G. Chiaro, J. S. Vinod, A. Tasalloti, and K. Allulakshmi. 2022. “Direct shear behavior of gravel-rubber mixtures: Discrete element modeling and microscopic investigations.” Soils Found. 62 (3): 101156. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sandf.2022.101156.
Cho, G.-C., J. Dodds, and J. C. Santamarina. 2006. “Particle shape effects on packing density, stiffness, and strength: Natural and crushed sands.” J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng. 132 (5): 591–602. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)1090-0241(2006)132:5(591).
Dai, B.-B., Q. Liu, X. Mao, P.-Y. Li, and Z.-Z. Liang. 2023. “A reinterpretation of the mechanical behavior of rubber–sand mixtures in direct shear testing.” Constr. Build. Mater. 363: 129771. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.129771.
Dai, B. B., J. Yang, and C. Y. Zhou. 2016. “Observed effects of interparticle friction and particle size on shear behavior of granular materials.” Int. J. Geomech. 16 (1): 04015011. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000520.
Dai, B.-B., J. Yang, and C.-Y. Zhou. 2017. “Micromechanical origin of angle of repose in granular materials.” Granular Matter 19 (2): 24. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10035-017-0709-6.
Derakhshani, S. M., D. L. Schott, and G. Lodewijks. 2015. “Micro–macro properties of quartz sand: Experimental investigation and DEM simulation.” Powder Technol. 269: 127–138. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.powtec.2014.08.072.
Fannin, R. J., A. Eliadorani, and J. M. T. Wilkinson. 2005. “Shear strength of cohesionless soils at low stress.” Géotechnique 55 (6): 467–478. https://doi.org/10.1680/geot.2005.55.6.467.
Fonseca, J., C. O’Sullivan, M. R. Coop, and P. D. Lee. 2012. “Non-invasive characterization of particle morphology of natural sands.” Soils Found. 52 (4): 712–722. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sandf.2012.07.011.
Fraczek, J., A. Złobecki, and J. Zemanek. 2007. “Assessment of angle of repose of granular plant material using computer image analysis.” J. Food Eng. 83: 17–22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2006.11.028.
Fu, R., M. R. Coop, and X. Q. Li. 2017. “Influence of particle type on the mechanics of sand–rubber mixtures.” J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng. 143: 04017059. https://doi.org/10.1061/(asce)gt.1943-5606.0001680.
Fu, R., B. Yang, X. Hu, B. Zhou, and M. R. Coop. 2023. “A micromechanical investigation of sand–rubber mixtures using the discrete element method.” Eng. Geol. 318: 107106. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2023.107106.
Ghalehjough, B. K., S. Akbulut, and S. Celik. 2018. “Effect of particle roundness and morphology on the shear failure mechanism of granular soil under strip footing.” Acta Geotech. Slov. 15 (1): 43–53. https://doi.org/10.18690/actageotechslov.15.1.43-53.2018.
Guo, N., and J. Zhao. 2013. “The signature of shear-induced anisotropy in granular media.” Comput. Geotech. 47: 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2012.07.002.
Guo, P., and X. Su. 2007. “Shear strength, interparticle locking, and dilatancy of granular materials.” Can. Geotech. J. 44 (5): 579–591. https://doi.org/10.1139/t07-010.
Itasca. 2008. PFC 2D-user manual. Minneapolis: Itasca Consulting Group.
Kawaguchi, T., T. Tanaka, and Y. Tsuji. 1992. “Numerical simulation of fluidized bed using the discrete element method. The case of spouting bed.” Trans. Jpn. Soc. Mech. Eng. Ser. B 58 (551): 2119–2125. https://doi.org/10.1299/kikaib.58.2119.
Lee, C., H. Shin, and J.-S. Lee. 2014. “Behavior of sand–rubber particle mixtures: Experimental observations and numerical simulations.” Int. J. Numer. Anal. Methods Geomech. 38 (16): 1651–1663. https://doi.org/10.1002/nag.2264.
Lee, J.-S., J. Dodds, and J. C. Santamarina. 2007. “Behavior of rigid-soft particle mixtures.” J. Mater. Civ. Eng. 19 (2): 179–184. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0899-1561(2007)19:2(179).
Li, W., C. Y. Kwok, C. S. Sandeep, and K. Senetakis. 2019. “Sand type effect on the behaviour of sand-granulated rubber mixtures: Integrated study from micro- to macro-scales.” Powder Technol. 342: 907–916. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.powtec.2018.10.025.
Lommen, S., D. Schott, and G. Lodewijks. 2014. “DEM speedup: Stiffness effects on behavior of bulk material.” Particuology 12: 107–112. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.partic.2013.03.006.
Lopera Perez, J. C., C. Y. Kwok, and K. Senetakis. 2016. “Effect of rubber size on the behaviour of sand–rubber mixtures: A numerical investigation.” Comput. Geotech. 80: 199–214. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2016.07.005.
Lopera Perez, J. C., C. Y. Kwok, and K. Senetakis. 2017a. “Micromechanical analyses of the effect of rubber size and content on sand–rubber mixtures at the critical state.” Geotext. Geomembr. 45: 81–97. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geotexmem.2016.11.005.
Lopera Perez, J. C., C. Y. Kwok, and K. Senetakis. 2017b. “Effect of rubber content on the unstable behaviour of sand–rubber mixtures under static loading: A micro-mechanical study.” Géotechnique 68: 561–574. https://doi.org/10.1680/jgeot.16.P.149.
Lv, Y., S. Yang, Y. He, X. Ma, M. Pang, and L. Xiong. 2023. “Discrete element analysis of sand–tyre chips mixtures with different tyre chip orientations under triaxial compression tests.” Constr. Build. Mater. 365: 130081. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.130081.
Maroof, M. A., A. Mahboubi, E. Vincens, and A. Noorzad. 2022. “Effects of particle morphology on the minimum and maximum void ratios of granular materials.” Granular Matter 24: 41. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10035-021-01189-0.
Mindlin, R. D., and H. Deresiewicz. 1953. “Elastic spheres in contact under varying oblique forces.” J. Appl. Mech. 20: 327–344. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4010702.
Moussa, A., and H. El Naggar. 2021. “Dynamic characterization of tire derived aggregates.” J. Mater. Civ. Eng. 33 (2): 04020471. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0003583.
Moussa, A., H. El Naggar, and A. Sadrekarimi. 2023. “Dynamic characterization of tire derived aggregates using cyclic simple shear and bender element tests.” Soil Dyn. Earthquake Eng. 165: 107700. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soildyn.2022.107700.
Nakata, Y., S. Moriguchi, S. Kajiyama, R. Kido, N. Kikkawa, H. Saomoto, D. Takano, and Y. Higo. 2022. “Experimental data of 3D printed granular material for verification of discrete element modeling simulation.” Soils Found. 62: 101178. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sandf.2022.101178.
Nie, J.-Y., Z.-J. Cao, D.-Q. Li, and Y.-F. Cui. 2021. “3D DEM insights into the effect of particle overall regularity on macro and micro mechanical behaviours of dense sands.” Comput. Geotech. 132: 103965. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2020.103965.
Nie, J.-Y., X.-S. Shi, Y.-F. Cui, and Z.-Y. Yang. 2022. “Numerical evaluation of particle shape effect on small strain properties of granular soils.” Eng. Geol. 303: 106652. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2022.106652.
Ouadfel, H., and L. Rothenburg. 2001. “‘Stress–force–fabric’ relationship for assemblies of ellipsoids.” Mech. Mater. 33: 201–221. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0167-6636(00)00057-0.
Potyondy, D. O., and P. A. Cundall. 2004. “A bonded-particle model for rock.” Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci. 41: 1329–1364. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2004.09.011.
Reddy, N. S. C., H. He, and K. Senetakis. 2022. “DEM analysis of small and small-to-medium strain shear modulus of sands.” Comput. Geotech. 141: 104518. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2021.104518.
Ren, Z. L., Y. P. Cheng, and X. Xu. 2020. “A DEM method for simulating rubber tyres.” Géotechnique Lett. 10 (1): 73–79. https://doi.org/10.1680/jgele.19.00064.
Rosales Garzón, S. E., and A. M. Hanna. 2021. “Critical-state shear strength and pore pressure of granular materials.” Int. J. Geomech. 21 (12): 04021237. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0002222.
Rowe, P. W. 1969. “The relation between the shear strength of sands in triaxial compression, plane strain and direct.” Géotechnique 19: 75–86. https://doi.org/10.1680/geot.1969.19.1.75.
Rui, S., Z. Guo, T. Si, and Y. Li. 2020. “Effect of particle shape on the liquefaction resistance of calcareous sands.” Soil Dyn. Earthquake Eng. 137: 106302. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soildyn.2020.106302.
Sadrekarimi, A., and S. M. Olson. 2011. “Critical state friction angle of sands.” Géotechnique 61 (9): 771–783. https://doi.org/10.1680/geot.9.P.090.
Santamarina, J. C., and G. C. Cho. 2004. “Soil behaviour: The role of particle shape.” In Vol. 1 of Proc., Advances in Geotechnical Engineering: The Skempton Conf., edited by R. J. Jardine, D. M. Potts, and K. G. Higgins, 604–617. London: Thomas Telford.
Schneider, C. A., W. S. Rasband, and K. W. Eliceiri. 2012. “NIH image to ImageJ: 25 years of image analysis.” Nat. Methods 9: 671–675. https://doi.org/10.1038/nmeth.2089.
Senetakis, K., and A. Anastasiadis. 2015. “Effects of state of test sample, specimen geometry and sample preparation on dynamic properties of rubber–sand mixtures.” Geosynth. Int. 22 (4): 301–310. https://doi.org/10.1680/gein.15.00013.
Seyedi Hosseininia, E. 2012. “Discrete element modeling of inherently anisotropic granular assemblies with polygonal particles.” Particuology 10: 542. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.partic.2011.11.015.
Su, J. 2019. “Advancing multi-scale modeling of penetrometer insertion in granular materials.” Ph.D. thesis, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology.
Tasalloti, A., G. Chiaro, L. Banasiak, and A. Palermo. 2021. “Experimental investigation of the mechanical behaviour of gravel–granulated tyre rubber mixtures.” Constr. Build. Mater. 273: 121749. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.121749.
Taylor, D. W. 1948. Fundamentals of soil mechanics. Bombay, India: Asia Publishing House.
Thornton, C. 2000. “Numerical simulations of deviatoric shear deformation of granular media.” Géotechnique 50: 43–53. https://doi.org/10.1680/geot.2000.50.1.43.
Tsiavos, A., N. A. Alexander, A. Diambra, E. Ibraim, P. J. Vardanega, A. Gonzalez-Buelga, and A. Sextos. 2019. “A sand–rubber deformable granular layer as a low-cost seismic isolation strategy in developing countries: Experimental investigation.” Soil Dyn. Earthquake Eng. 125: 105731. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soildyn.2019.105731.
Valdes, J. R., and T. M. Evans. 2008. “Sand–rubber mixtures: Experiments and numerical simulations.” Can. Geotech. J. 45: 588–595. https://doi.org/10.1139/T08-002.
Voivret, C., F. Radjaï, J.-Y. Delenne, and M. S. El Youssoufi. 2009. “Multiscale force networks in highly polydisperse granular media.” Phys. Rev. Lett. 102: 178001. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.102.178001.
Wang, C., A. Deng, and A. Taheri. 2018. “Digital image processing on segregation of rubber sand mixture.” Int. J. Geomech. 18: 04018138. https://doi.org/10.1061/(asce)gm.1943-5622.0001269.
Wu, M., W. Tian, F. Liu, and J. Yang. 2023. “Dynamic behavior of geocell-reinforced rubber sand mixtures under cyclic simple shear loading.” Soil Dyn. Earthquake Eng. 164: 107595. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soildyn.2022.107595.
Xiao, Y., L. Long, T. Matthew Evans, H. Zhou, H. Liu, and A. W. Stuedlein. 2019. “Effect of particle shape on stress-dilatancy responses of medium-dense sands.” J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng. 145 (2): 04018105. https://doi.org/10.1061/(asce)gt.1943-5606.0001994.
Xie, Y. H., Z. X. Yang, D. Barreto, and M. D. Jiang. 2017. “The influence of particle geometry and the intermediate stress ratio on the shear behavior of granular materials.” Granular Matter 19: 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10035-017-0723-8.
Yang, J., and X. D. Luo. 2015. “Exploring the relationship between critical state and particle shape for granular materials.” J. Mech. Phys. Solids 84: 196–213. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmps.2015.08.001.
Zhang, T., C. Zhang, Q. Yang, and R. Fu. 2020. “Inter-particle friction and particle sphericity effects on isotropic compression behavior in real-shaped sand assemblies.” Comput. Geotech. 126: 103741. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2020.103741.
Zhao, S., N. Zhang, X. Zhou, and L. Zhang. 2017. “Particle shape effects on fabric of granular random packing.” Powder Technol. 310: 175–186. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.powtec.2016.12.094.
Zhao, S., X. Zhou, and W. Liu. 2015. “Discrete element simulations of direct shear tests with particle angularity effect.” Granular Matter 17 (6): 793–806. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10035-015-0593-x.
Zhou, B., J. Wang, and B. Zhao. 2015. “Micromorphology characterization and reconstruction of sand particles using micro X-ray tomography and spherical harmonics.” Eng. Geol. 184: 126–137. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2014.11.009.
Zhou, Z. Y., R. P. Zou, D. Pinson, and A. B. Yu. 2014. “Angle of repose and stress distribution of sandpiles formed with ellipsoidal particles.” Granular Matter 16: 695–709. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10035-014-0522-4.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 24 • Issue 11 • November 2024
Copyright
© 2024 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jul 30, 2023
Accepted: Jun 5, 2024
Published online: Sep 13, 2024
Published in print: Nov 1, 2024
Discussion open until: Feb 13, 2025
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Continuum mechanics
- Coupling
- Deformation (mechanics)
- Engineering fundamentals
- Engineering materials (by type)
- Engineering mechanics
- Geomechanics
- Geotechnical engineering
- Grain (material)
- Material mechanics
- Material properties
- Materials characterization
- Materials engineering
- Mathematics
- Mixtures
- Parameters (statistics)
- Particles
- Soil deformation
- Soil dynamics
- Soil mechanics
- Solid mechanics
- Statistics
- Structural engineering
- Structural mechanics
- Structural members
- Structural systems
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.