A continuous plasticity version of the critical state model

A modification to a conventional critical state model is described which introduces some plasticity in the stress region which is normally fully elastic. The effect is to blur the otherwise sharp distinction between elastic and yielding states. The modification is conceptually simple and does not require any additional material parameters. The model was developed for the dual purpose of providing a more robust constitutive law for finite element applications and to provide a more realistic representation of the soil. Its potential is demonstrated by simulating the response of a plane strain sample tested over a range of loading and unloading stress paths. The results are in accordance with expectations from physical tests. Further, they show that the model has some potential for at least the first few cycles of cyclic loading. A finite element boundary value analysis of an excavation is also described. This shows how the model copes with the severe test of stress paths which unload while yielding. Finally, the model is used to match stress-strain curves obtained from large-scale laboratory tests on a compacted clay. Close agreement with three of the five tests was obtained using a single set of material parameters.