Generalized Nonassociative Multisurface Approach for Granular Materials

Abstract

The transitional yielding approach offers a unique and smooth definition for loading, unloading, and reloading; further, it need not define a conjugate point. A generalized transitional yielding approach, with any desired number of limit surfaces, is proposed. These limit surfaces represent various degrees of the hierarchical material memory due to stress history. A new method for modeling nonassociative soil behavior is also proposed; it has the advantage of using exactly the same function for the yield surface and the plastic potential surface. Model prediction and experimental data are compared to illustrate the validity of the proposed approach.