Discrete element modelling of strength and critical state characteristics of granular materials under axial compression and axial extension stress path tests--颗粒学报PARTICUOLOGY

Kodicherla, S. P. K., Gong, G., Fan, L., Wilkinson, S., & Moy, C. K. S. (2021). Discrete element modelling of strength and critical state characteristics of granular materials under axial compression and axial extension stress path tests. Particuology, 56, 152-162. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.partic.2020.11.003

Discrete element modelling of strength and critical state characteristics of granular materials under axial compression and axial extension stress path tests

Shiva Prashanth Kumar Kodicherla ^a, Guobin Gong ^a *, Lei Fan ^a, Stephen Wilkinson ^b, Charles K.S. Moy ^a

a Department of Civil Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong – Liverpool University (XJTLU), China
b Department of Civil Engineering, University of Wollongong, Dubai

10.1016/j.partic.2020.11.003

Volume 56, June 2021, Pages 152-162

Received 10 March 2020, Revised 2 November 2020, Accepted 10 November 2020, Available online 8 December 2020, Version of Record 8 March 2021.

E-mail: Guobin.Gong@xjtlu.edu.cn

Highlights

• The critical state lines are found to be path-dependent.

• A higher critical strength for AC than for AE under a given cell pressure is noted.

• Critical deviator fabric is larger for axial compression than for axial extension.

Abstract

The critical state soil mechanics (CSSM) framework has been widely used across a range of problems in geomechanics involving complex loading conditions. However, the uniqueness of the critical state has been disputed for many years and it remains a controversial issue. Motivated by previous investigations, a series of discrete element method (DEM) simulations were performed under both axial compression (AC) and axial extension (AE) stress paths. All samples were isotropically compressed at varying mean normal effective stresses (confining pressures) and sheared to a large axial strain of approximately 60%. It is found that there exist unique values of critical void ratios and stress ratios under critical state, which are independent of the samples’ initial packings but dependent on stress paths. And the critical strength (stress ratio) for the AC stress path tests is higher than that for the AE stress path. The critical state lines (CSLs) are found to path-dependent but unique for each stress path. A unique linear relationship between the critical coordination numbers and critical void ratios is identified under the AC and AE stress paths respectively, but such a relationship depends on the stress paths. It is also found that there exist unique values of microscopic parameters in terms of deviator fabric under critical state, which are independent of the samples’ initial packings but dependent on stress paths. All these simulation results lead to the conclusion of non-uniqueness of CSLs from both macroscopic and microscopic viewpoints.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

DEM; Clumped particles; Critical state; Densification index; State parameter

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