Yielding of Microstructured Geomaterial by Distinct Element Method Analysis
Publication: Journal of Engineering Mechanics
Volume 131, Issue 11
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to present macro- and micro-study on the yielding of microstructured geomaterials by numerical experiments. This target is achieved by carrying out 63 one-dimensional and biaxial compressions tests on an idealized bonded geomaterial with an extension of distinct element method, into which bond contact models proposed were implemented. Numerical results indicate that: (a) preconsolidated pressure appears to attribute to bond and looseness in the geomaterials, and an increase in void ratio leads to a decrease in yielding stress in one-dimensional tests; (b) an increase in bonding strength at interparticle contacts results in an increase in yielding stress and cohesion, and an internal friction angle that is smaller than the critical state value; (c) the observed first-yielding (initiation of bond breakage) is stress path dependent, and gross-yield (defined with respect to volumetric strain) of microstructured geomaterials is evidently related to bond breakage.
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Acknowledgments
The writers thank the NSERC, Canada for the financial support of the first writer during his post-doctoral research on this study at Université Laval, Canada. Thanks are extended to Professor H.-S. Yu, Nottingham University, UK for his great help in finishing this note during the first writer’s current postdoctoral research funded by EPSRC Grant No. EPSRC-GBGR/R85792/01.
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Information & Authors
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Published In
Journal of Engineering Mechanics
Volume 131 • Issue 11 • November 2005
Pages: 1209 - 1213
Copyright
© 2005 ASCE.
History
Received: Jun 12, 2003
Accepted: Dec 7, 2004
Published online: Nov 1, 2005
Published in print: Nov 2005
Notes
Note. Associate Editor: Jin Y. Ooi
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