FE-studies on Shear Localization in an Anistropic Micro-polar Hypoplastic Granular Material

The effect of transverse isotropy on shear localization in cohesionless granular materials is numerically investigated upon monotonous plane strain deformation paths using a hypoplastic constitutive model enhanced by micro-polar terms. In this model, a so-called density function is reformulated and made anisotropic. Dense sand specimens under constant lateral pressure are numerically tested for uniform and stochastic distributions of the initial void ratio and for two different mean grain diameters.     

FE Analysis of Shearing of Granular Bodies in a Direct Shear Box

A plane strain analysis of a deformation and stress field in cohesionless granular bodies during shearing in a direct shear tester was performed with a finite element method on the basis of a hypoplastic constitutive law enhanced by polar quantities: rotations, curvatures, couple stresses, and a mean grain diameter used as characteristic length. The constitutive law takes into account the effect of pressure, void ratio, direction of deformation rate, mean grain diameter, and grain roughness on the material behavior. The FE calculations were carried out with a different initial void ratio, vertical load, mean grain diameter, and specimen length. Attention was focused on the size effect caused by the size of microstructure related to the specimen dimensions and the effect of side boundaries on the shear zone formation. The FE results show that the thickness of the shear zone increases with increasing initial void ratio, pressure level, mean grain diameter, and specimen length. Due to the effect of boundary conditions, the thickness changes along a horizontal midsection (it is widest in the mid-region).     

FE Analysis of Contractant Shear Zones in Loose Granular Materials

The paper focuses on the formation of contractant shear zones in initially loose cohesionless granular materials subject usually to continuous densification. For a simulation of the mechanical behaviour of a granular material during monotonous deformation paths, a micro-polar hypoplastic constitutive model was used which takes into account particle rotations, curvatures, non-symmetric stresses, couple stresses and the mean grain diameter as a characteristic length. The FE investigations of shear localization were carried out with initially very loose quartz sand during four different rate boundary value problems: shearing of an infinite layer between two very rough walls, plane strain compression under constant lateral pressure, biaxial compression with rigid and deformable boundaries and passive earth pressure on a horizontally translating retaining wall. The calculations were carried out with a simple random distribution of the initial void ratio under conditions of large deformations and curvatures.     

FE-investigations of a deterministic and statistical size effect in granular bodies within a micro-polar hypoplasticity

The paper deals with numerical investigations of a deterministic and statistical size effect in granular bodies during shearing of an infinite layer under plane strain conditions and free dilatancy. For a simulation of the mechanical behavior of a cohesionless granular material during a monotonous deformation path, a micro-polar hypoplastic constitutive was used which takes into account particle rotations, curvatures, non-symmetric stresses, couple stresses and the mean grain diameter as a characteristic length. The proposed model captures the essential mechanical features of granular bodies in a wide range of densities and pressures with a single set of constants. To describe a deterministic size effect, the calculations were carried out with an uniform distribution of the initial void ratio for four different heights of the granular layer: 5, 50, 500 and 2,000 mm. To investigate a statistical size effect, the distribution of the initial void ratio in infinite granular layers was assumed to be spatially correlated. As only primary stochastic calculations were performed, single examples of different random fields of the initial void ratio were generated. For this purpose a conditional rejection method was used.     

Effect of cyclic shearing on shear localisation in granular bodies

Cyclic shearing of an infinite narrow layer of dry and cohesionless sand between two very rough boundaries under constant vertical pressure is numerically modelled with the finite element method using a polar hypoplastic constitutive relation. The constitutive relation was obtained through an extension of a non-polar model by polar quantities, viz. particle rotations, curvatures, couple stresses using the mean grain diameter as a characteristic length. The proposed model captures the essential mechanical features of granular bodies in a wide range of densities and pressures with a single set of constants. The material constants can be easily determined from granulometric properties and laboratory tests. The attention of numerical simulations is laid on the influence of number of cycles on the thickness of an induced shear zone for both an initially dense and loose granular specimen. In addition, the effect of a stochastic distribution of the initial void ratio on shear localisation is demonstrated.KeywordsGranular material, Cyclic shearing, Polar hypoplasticity, Finite element method, Shear localisation     

Behaviour of granular bodies in induced shear zones

This paper deals with the behaviour of granular bodies in induced shear zones. Shearing of an infinite narrow layer of sand between two very rough boundaries under conditions of free dilatancy is numerically modelled with a finite element method and a hypoplastic constitutive relation within a polar (Cosserat) continuum. The relation can reproduce the essential features of granular bodies during shear localisation. The material constants are easily determined from element test results and can be estimated from granulometric properties. The attention is laid on the influence of the initial void ratio, mean grain diameter, layer height, pressure level and grain roughness on the thickness of induced shear zones. In addition, the effect of dilatancy constraint on shear localisation is investigated. The results are also compared to solutions within a non-polar continuum. The FE-calculations demonstrate that polar effects manifested by the appearance of grain rotations and couple stresses are significant in shear zones and their thickness is mainly affected by the initial void ratio, the mean grain diameter and the layer height. Received: 16 November 1999     

Modeling of a cyclic plane strain compression-extension test in granular bodies within a polar hypoplasticity

In a recent paper, the effect of cyclic shearing on forced shear localization in an infinite granular strip between rough boundaries was numerically investigated. The present paper focuses on the evolution of spontaneous developed shear localization within an granular body under plane strain conditions, constant lateral pressure and cyclic vertical compression-extension. For a simulation of the mechanical behavior of a cohesionless granular material, a micro-polar hypoplastic constitutive is used which takes into account particle rotations, curvatures, non-symmetric stresses, couple stresses and the mean grain diameter as a characteristic length. The proposed model captures the essential mechanical features of granular bodies in a wide range of densities and pressures with a single set of constants. For the calibration of the constitutive constants, the data of a medium quartz sand are used. The attention of numerical simulations is laid on the influence of the number of cycles, the magnitude of the vertical deformation amplitude and the initial density on the evolution of shear zones in an initially prismatic granular specimen.     

Patterns of shear zones in granular bodies within a polar hypoplastic continuum

Summary The paper deals with numerical investigations on the patterning of shear zones in granular bodies. The behavior of dry sand during plane strain compression tests was numerically modelled with a finite element method using a hypoplastic constitutive relation within a polar (Cosserat) continuum. The constitutive relation was obtained through an extension of a non-polar one by polar quantities, viz. rotations, curvatures, couple stresses using the mean grain diameter as a characteristic length. This relation can reproduce the essential features of granular bodies during shear localisation. During FE-calculations, the attention was laid on the influence of boundary conditions and the distribution of imperfections in the granular specimen on the formation of patterns of shear zones.     

FE-investigation of shear localization in granular bodies under high shear rate

Shear localization in granular materials under high shear rate is analysed with the finite element method and a micro-polar hypoplastic constitutive model enhanced by viscous terms. We consider plane strain shearing of an infinitely long and narrow granular strip of initially dense sand between two very rough walls under conditions of free dilatancy. The constitutive model can reproduce the essential features of granular materials during shear localization. The calculations are performed under quasi-static and dynamic conditions with different shear rates. In dynamic regime, the viscosity terms are formulated based on a modified Newtonian fluid and according to the formula by Stadler and Buggisch (Proceedings of the conference on Reliable flow of particulate solids, EFCE Pub. Series, vol 49. Chr. Michelsen Institute, Bergen, 1985). Emphasis is given to the influence of inertial and viscous forces on the shear zone thickness and mobilized wall friction angle.     

FE-investigations of micro-polar boundary conditions along interface between soil and structure

The interface between granular bodies and structures is analysed with the finite element method and a micro-polar hypoplastic constitutive model. Quasi-static shearing of an infinitely long and narrow granular strip between two rigid walls of different roughness under conditions of free dilatancy and constant vertical pressure is investigated. The constitutive model can reproduce the essential features of granular bodies during shear localization. To model the different roughness of the interface, micro-polar boundary conditions are proposed taking into account the asperity of the wall roughness and grain diameter. Some emphasis is given to the influence of the wall roughness on the thickness of shear zone and the mobilization of wall friction.     

FE-calculations of stress distribution under prismatic and conical sandpiles within hypoplasticity

The paper deals with the stress distribution beneath prismatic and conical sandpiles. The analysis was performed with the FEM and a micro-polar hypoplastic constitutive model. Several influence factors were studied including the method of pile construction, base roughness, heap inclination, mean grain diameter and initial void ratio of sand. Two methods of sandpile construction were examined: by uniform raining and by centric flow, respectively. The results indicate that the stress distribution under sandpiles is mainly influenced by the construction method. For uniform raining, the maximum stress was observed under the pile centre, while for centric flow, a stress dip was obtained under the pile centre.     

Discrete modelling results of a direct shear test for granular materials versus FE results

The intention of this paper is to present a comparison of the results of discrete element and finite element simulations of a simple shear test for medium dense cohesionless sand. Such a comparison may provide useful information on the limitations and possible advantages of micro-polar continuum models for granular media as compared with discrete element models. To simulate the discrete nature of sand at the micro-level during shearing, the 3D discrete open-source model YADE developed at Grenoble University was used. Contact moments at spheres were assumed to capture the influence of force eccentricities due to grain roughness. Attention was paid to some micro-structural events (such as vortices, force chains, vortex structures, local void ratio fluctuations) appearing in a shear zone and kinetic, elastic and dissipated energies in granular specimen. The results of the discrete element simulations were compared with the corresponding finite element (FE) solutions based on a micro-polar hypoplastic constitutive model for granular material. A satisfactory agreement between discrete and FE results was achieved. Advantages and disadvantages of both approaches are outlined.     

DEM investigations of two-dimensional granular vortex- and anti-vortex-structures during plane strain compression

The paper presents simulation results of a quasi-static plane strain compression test on cohesionless initially dense sand under constant lateral pressure using a three-dimensional discrete element method. Grains were modelled by means of spheres with contact moments imitating irregular particle shapes. The material behaviour was studied at both global and local levels. The stress–strain and volumetric-strain curves, distribution of void ratio, resultant grain rotation and contact forces were calculated. The main attention was paid to the appearance of plane strain granular micro-structures like vortex and anti-vortex structures in the granular specimen during deformation. In order to detect two-dimensional vortex and anti-vortex structures, a method based on orientation angles of displacement fluctuation vectors of neighbouring single spheres was used. The effect of the method parameters was also analyzed.     

An analysis of deformation and failure in rectangular tensile bars accounting for void shape changes

A three-dimensional finite deformation study of necking and failure in rectangular tensile bars is carried out using a constitutive relation for porous material plasticity. The fully dynamic formulation accounts for void nucleation and growth along with thermal and rate effects, but here focus is on quasi-static response with a specified initial void volume fraction. The constitutive relation takes into account void shape changes and associated void rotations for three-dimensional voids. The constitutive update is carried out using a generalized rate tangent scheme for an elastic-viscoplastic solid. The sensitivity of necking and failure patterns to the aspect ratio of the rectangular bar is investigated with focus on the plane strain limit and a square tensile bar. The calculations predict the well-known slant fracture in plane strain tension and the emergence of a cup-cone like failure region for a square cross-section. Details are provided for the development of porosity in the bar with a square cross-section, including void shape changes and void rotations. The numerical examples show the capability of a constitutive relation for porous plasticity that can model details of void evolution, thus paving the way for advanced analyses of ductile failure under arbitrary loadings.

     

Strain-gradient extension of hypoplasticity

The paper presents an extension of the hypoplasticity theory by introducing the second-order gradient of the strain rate into the constitutive equation. The strain-gradient extension is aimed at the adequate modelling of the shear band formation in the post-localization regime. It is proved analytically that the proposed extended model produces finite-thickness shear-band solutions if and only if the stress state is a post-bifurcation state for the original non-gradient model. The problem of pure shear with an initially inhomogeneous distribution of the void ratio is solved numerically as an example to substantiate the theory. The numerical calculations show that the thickness of the shear band is invariant to the width of the initial inhomogeneity which induces the shear band.     

Study of the shear behavior of binary granular materials by DEM simulations and experimental triaxial tests

This paper aims at studying the shear behavior of mixtures of fine and coarse particles by classical triaxial tests. The work is performed both on experimental tests and computer simulations by discrete element method. The comparisons between experimental and simulation results on monosized and binary samples show that the DEM model can reproduce deviatoric curves satisfactorily in experimental conditions. The shear behavior of monosized and binary systems with the same initial void ratio differs significantly, suggesting that the state of compaction of the system is more influential than the initial void ratio. Comparison between compacted and uncompacted samples confirms that compaction increases the shear strength of granular matter. At the particle scale, the coordination number decreases with the augmentation of the volume fraction of coarse particles. The average rotation velocity of fine particles is higher than coarse particles, but their particle stress tensor is smaller than coarse ones.     

FE simulations of granular material with a given frequency distribution of voids as initial condition

A hypoplastic law is used for the FE simulations of two model tests with sand. In both model tests localization is observed. It is shown that void ratio scattering at initial state of the numerical simulations is of primary importance in order to model localization. A simple exponential frequency distribution, which is dependent of the sand density yields realistic results.     

Micromechanical constitutive modelling of granular media: evolution and loss of contact in particle clusters

Micromechanical constitutive equations are developed which allow for the broad range of interparticle interactions observed in a real deforming granular assembly: microslip contact, gross slip contact, loss of contact and an evolution in these modes of contact as the deformation proceeds. This was accomplished through a synergetic use of contact laws, which account for interparticle resistance to both sliding and rolling, together with strain-dependent anisotropies in contacts and the normal contact force. By applying the constitutive model to the bi-axial test it is demonstrated that the model can correctly predict the evolution of various anisotropies as well as the formation of a distinct shear band. Moreover, the predicted shear-band properties (e.g. thickness, prolonged localisation, void ratio) are an even better fit with experimental observations than were previously found by use of previously developed micromechanical models.     

Micromechanical constitutive modelling of granular media: Evolution and loss of contact in particle clusters

Micromechanical constitutive equations are developed which allow for the broad range of interparticle interactions observed in a real deforming granular assembly: microslip contact, gross slip contact, loss of contact and an evolution in these modes of contact as the deformation proceeds. This was accomplished through a synergetic use of contact laws, which account for interparticle resistance to both sliding and rolling, together withstrain-dependent anisotropies in contacts and the normal contact force. By applying the constitutive model to the bi-axial test it is demonstrated that the model can correctly predict the evolution of various anisotropies as well as the formation of a distinct shear band. Moreover, the predicted shear-band properties (e.g. thickness, prolonged localisation, void ratio) are an even better fit with experimental observations than were previously found by use of previously developed micromechanical models.     

A damage model for ductile crack initiation and propagation

Damage-induced ductile crack initiation and propagation is modeled using a constitutive law with asymmetrical contraction of the yield surface and tip remeshing combined with a nonlocal strain technique. In practice, this means that the void fraction depends on a nonlocal strain. Finite strain plasticity is used with smoothing of the complementarity condition. The prototype constitutive laws take into account pressure sensitivity and the Lode angle effect in the fracture strain. Two plane idealizations are tested: plane stress and plane strain. Thickness variation in the former is included by imposing a null out-of-plane normal stress component. In plane strain, pressure unknowns and bubble enrichment are adopted to avoid locking and ensure stability of the equilibrium equations. This approach allows the representation of some 3D effects, such as necking. The nonlocal approach is applied to the strains so that the void fraction value evolves up to one and this is verified numerically. Three verification examples are proposed and one validation example is shown, illustrating the excellent results of the proposed method. One of the verification examples includes both crack propagation in the continuum and rigid particle decohesion based on the same model.