Evolution of Void Fabrics and Their Effects on Liquefaction Behaviors of Granular Soils: Insight from DEM-Clump Simulation
Publication: Journal of Engineering Mechanics
Volume 149, Issue 6
Abstract
Previous studies have demonstrated that macroscopic liquefaction behavior is closely related to the evolution of the microstructure (fabric) of soils. Here we perform three-dimensional (3D) discrete-element method (DEM) simulations of soil liquefaction considering irregular shapes of Toyoura sand particles, which are approximated by 3D clumps. We introduce the Minkowski tensor to quantify the anisotropy of the particle-void cells around each clumped particle, and propose two void fabric proxies, and . The evolution of and during the entire liquefaction process and their effects on pre- and postliquefaction behaviors are investigated. Specifically, quantifies the shape elongation of particle-void distribution, while represents anisotropy of the particle-void orientation, which is closely correlated with the flow strain accumulation. We further quantify irreversible changes in fabrics and anisotropic load-bearing structures developed in liquefaction processes, and propose fabric-based criteria for jamming transition in flow deformation. The volumetric strain during reconsolidation is well correlated with and , whereas the jamming transition during liquefaction can only occur if becomes sufficiently large. The interplay between strain, stress, and fabric evolution during pre- and postliquefaction will improve fundamental understanding and modeling of liquefied soils.
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Data Availability Statement
The numerical simulation data in this study are available from the corresponding author by request.
Acknowledgments
The study is funded by Research Grant No. 52179134 from National Natural Science Foundation of China, Grant No. 16214220 from the Hong Kong Research Grants Council.
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Information & Authors
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Published In
Journal of Engineering Mechanics
Volume 149 • Issue 6 • June 2023
Copyright
© 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Apr 9, 2022
Accepted: Jan 26, 2023
Published online: Mar 25, 2023
Published in print: Jun 1, 2023
Discussion open until: Aug 25, 2023
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Anisotropy
- Building materials
- Clays
- Continuum mechanics
- Deformation (mechanics)
- Discrete element method
- Earth materials
- Engineering fundamentals
- Engineering materials (by type)
- Engineering mechanics
- Fabrics
- Geomaterials
- Geomechanics
- Geotechnical engineering
- Granular soils
- Materials engineering
- Methodology (by type)
- Numerical methods
- Particle size distribution
- Particles
- Soil liquefaction
- Soil mechanics
- Soil properties
- Soils (by type)
- Solid mechanics
- Structural mechanics
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Cited by
- Siyuan Yang, Duruo Huang, Evolution of Soil Fabrics toward Critical State for Granular Soils: A Comprehensive Investigation, Journal of Engineering Mechanics, 10.1061/JENMDT.EMENG-7556, 150, 5, (2024).