Visualization of Crushing Evolution in Granular Materials under Compression Using DEM
Publication: International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 6, Issue 3
Abstract
Granular materials forming part of natural slopes, embankments, subgrades of foundations, and pavement structures are subjected to both static and dynamic loads during their engineering lives. As a result of these loads, particle crushing may occur. The present study demonstrates that the discrete-element method (DEM) can be used to visualize the evolution of this breakage process. In particular, the evolution of crushing in a simulated granular material subjected to uniaxial compression is presented. 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. The results from the simulation indicate that crushing does not develop uniformly throughout the sample, but rather concentrates in certain regions. These observations agree with experimental results of uniaxial tests conducted on sand. Other results from the simulation satisfactorily agree with experimental results previously reported by other researchers. In this way, by using a simplified failure criterion, DEM can be used to visualize and understand the evolution of granular crushing. This is something that is very difficult to do with laboratory tests alone.
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Acknowledgment
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
International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 6 • Issue 3 • May 2006
Pages: 195 - 200
Copyright
© 2006 ASCE.
History
Received: Jul 22, 2004
Accepted: Mar 18, 2005
Published online: May 1, 2006
Published in print: May 2006
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