A contact model for rough crushable sand

SOILS AND FOUNDATIONS, vol. 61, pp. 798–814

Abstract

Sand roughness is now accessible to measurement. Incorporating this parameter into sand models using the discrete element method (DEM) is known to improve bulk small strain response. In this work we explore the effect on problems where particle crushing takes place. A well-established DEM particle crushing model and a rough Hertzian contact model are here combined to incorporate both effects in a single contact model. Including contact roughness results in stronger particles whilst all other material parameters being equal. The model is then used to simulate high pressure oedometric compression tests on a strong silica sand. It is shown that including realistic values of surface roughness enables to correctly capture both load-unload behaviour and particle size distribution evolution while using realistic values of elastic bulk properties for the sand grains. Roughness is then a model refinement that may result in simpler, more objective DEM calibrations.

Authors 4

1. Ningning Zhang Aachen Institute of Geotechnical Engineering

   RWTH Aachen University · Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Geotechnical Engineering and Geosciences, Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC), Spain

   Institute of Geotechnical Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, Germany

2. Matteo Oryem Ciantia corresponding

   University of Dundee

   Affiliation as printed

   School of Science and Engineering, University of Dundee, UK

3. Marcos Arroyo

   Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Geotechnical Engineering and Geosciences, Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC), Spain

4. Antonio Gens

   Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Geotechnical Engineering and Geosciences, Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC), Spain