Shear band evolution phenomena in direct shear test modelled with DEM

3D DEM Analysis of Particle Breakage Effect on Direct Shear Tests of Coarse Sand

This paper explores the effect of particle breakage on the mechanical behavior of coarse sand through 3D Discrete Element Method (DEM) simulations of direct shear tests (DST). The objective is to gain insights into the macro- and micro-mechanical behaviors of crushable coarse sand, with a particular focus on the stress-strain relationship, volumetric deformation, and evolution of grain crushing. The simulations involve a comparison between non-crushable and crushable particle models, where the crushable particles are implemented in the shear zone of the DST subjected to different high normal stresses. The findings indicate that the crushable particles experience partial crushing at peak shear stress, with further particle crushing leading to the production of finer particles at the shearing plane during shearing at the critical state. The migration of these finer particles under pressure and gravity generates their accumulation predominantly in the lower section of the simulation box. Importantly, the presence of crushing in the DST induces a decrease in the shear stress and an increase in the volumetric strain leading to contractive behavior instead of dilation, which gradually stabilizes the volumetric deformation at higher normal stresses.

Effect of Rolling Resistance Model Parameters on 3D DEM Modeling of Coarse Sand Direct Shear Test

This paper deals with the micro and macro behaviors of coarse sand inside a direct shear box during a geotechnical test. A 3D discrete element method (DEM) model of the direct shear of sand was performed using sphere particles to explore the ability of the rolling resistance linear contact model to reproduce this commonly used test considering real-size particles. The focus was on the effect of the interaction of the main contact model parameters and particle size on maximum shear stress, residual shear stress, and sand volume change. The performed model was calibrated and validated with experimental data and followed by sensitive analyses. It is shown that the stress path can be reproduced appropriately. For a high coefficient of friction, the peak shear stress and volume change during the shearing process were mainly affected by increasing the rolling resistance coefficient. However, for a low coefficient of friction, shear stress and volume change were marginally affected by the rolling resistance coefficient. As expected, varying the friction and rolling resistance coefficients was found to have less influence on the residual shear stress.

Modelling of Longitudinal Elastic Wave Propagation in a Steel Rod Using the Discrete Element Method

The paper deals with the issue of modelling elastic wave propagation using the discrete element method (DEM). The case of a longitudinal wave in a rod with a circular cross-section was considered. A novel, complex algorithm consisting of the preparation of models and simulation of elastic waves was developed. A series of DEM models were prepared for simulations, differing in discretisation and material parameters. Additional calculations with the finite element method (FEM) were performed. Numerical wave signals were obtained from each simulation and compared with experimental results to choose the best DEM model based on the correlation between the waveforms. Moreover, dispersion curves were prepared for each model to verify the agreement with the Pochhammer-Chree wave propagation theory. Both experimental and theoretical approaches indicated the same model as the most suitable. The analysis results allowed stating that DEM can be successfully used for modelling wave propagation in structural rods.