Quantification and Simulation of Particle Kinematics and Local Strains in Granular Materials Using X-Ray Tomography Imaging and Discrete-Element Method
Publication: Journal of Engineering Mechanics
Volume 134, Issue 2
Abstract
Microfeatures of granular materials have significant effects on their macrobehaviors. Unfortunately, three-dimensional (3D) quantitative measurements of microfeatures are rare in literature because of the limitations of conventional techniques in obtaining microquantities such as microdisplacements and local strains. This paper presents a new method for quantifying the particle kinematics and local strains for a soft confined compression test using X-ray computed tomography and compares the experimental measurements with the simulated results using the discrete-element method (DEM). The experimental method can identify and recognize 3D individual particles automatically, which is essential for quantifying particle kinematics and local strains. 3D DEM simulations of the soft confined compression test were performed by using spherical particles and irregular particles. The simulated global deformations and particle translations that were based on irregular particles showed better agreement with the experimental measurements than those that were based on spherical particles. The simulated movements of spherical particles were more erratic, and the material composed of spherical particles showed larger vertical contraction and radial dilation.
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Acknowledgments
Funding provided by the Partnerships for Innovation Program (PFI) of NSF and the PFI director Dr. Sara Nerlove are sincerely acknowledged.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Engineering Mechanics
Volume 134 • Issue 2 • February 2008
Pages: 143 - 154
Copyright
© 2008 ASCE.
History
Received: Jun 1, 2005
Accepted: Feb 9, 2007
Published online: Feb 1, 2008
Published in print: Feb 2008
Notes
Note. Associate Editor: Ching S. Chang
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