Modeling of Minimum Void Ratio for Granular Soil with Effect of Particle Size Distribution
Publication: Journal of Engineering Mechanics
Volume 143, Issue 9
Abstract
Minimum void ratio is an important soil property in the practice of geotechnical engineering. It correlates with the volume change tendency, the pore fluid conductivity, and the shear strength of the soil. Minimum void ratio for granular soil is highly dependent on its particle size distribution. However, very few analytical models are available for predicting minimum void ratios as a function of particle size distribution. This paper develops a mathematical model that can predict the minimum void ratio for granular soil with arbitrary particle size distribution based on a more fundamental approach using the concept of dominant particle network. The developed model is evaluated by the simulation results using a discrete element method (DEM) and by the experimental results on granular soil with four different gradations to illustrate the applicability of model. The results predicted by the model show very good agreement with the data from DEM simulations and experiments.
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Acknowledgments
This work is supported by the National Science Foundation under research grant CMMI-1537491. The support is greatly acknowledged.
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Information & Authors
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Published In
Journal of Engineering Mechanics
Volume 143 • Issue 9 • September 2017
Copyright
©2017 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: May 23, 2016
Accepted: Jan 26, 2017
Published ahead of print: Apr 17, 2017
Published online: Apr 18, 2017
Published in print: Sep 1, 2017
Discussion open until: Sep 18, 2017
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