Discrete Element Method Evaluation of Granular Crushing Under Direct Shear Test Conditions
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 131, Issue 10
Abstract
Granular materials forming part of civil engineering structures are subjected to both static and dynamic loads. As a result of these loads, particle crushing occurs. This study focuses on the evolution of crushing in a simulated granular material subjected to a direct shear test. It was found that the discrete element method (DEM) can be used to visualize and understand the evolution of crushing experienced by a granular material during this test. Even though DEM does not normally consider particle breakage, it is possible to simulate crushing by replacing one particle that has failed in tension with a combination of many particles of different sizes. One simulation indicated that crushing did not develop uniformly throughout the sample, and the sample tended to achieve a fractal distribution of particle sizes. The changes in other properties of the simulated granular material such as porosity and shear strength were also recorded, analyzed, and compared to the changes produced during another simulation where crushing was not a predominant feature.
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Acknowledgments
The work described herein was supported by Grant No. NSFCMS-0301815 to the University of Pittsburgh from the National Science Foundation, Washington, D.C. This support is gratefully acknowledged.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 131 • Issue 10 • October 2005
Pages: 1295 - 1300
Copyright
© 2005 ASCE.
History
Received: Aug 6, 2004
Accepted: Feb 10, 2005
Published online: Oct 1, 2005
Published in print: Oct 2005
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