Discrete Element Simulations of Shallow Plate-Load Tests

Abstract

Shallow plate-load tests were simulated using a two-dimensional discrete element procedure together with parameters calibrated from a series of biaxial compression experiments on aluminum rods. The deformation and force transmission characteristics within ground materials were investigated first, and then attentions were focused on studying the influences of the interparticle friction coefficient, the roughness of the loading plate, and the size of loading plate on the testing results, including the ultimate bearing capacity, the deformation behavior, and the failure mode. The well-known scale effect in plate-load tests was also analyzed from the perspectives of both continuum mechanics and discrete element method simulations. It was proven that the nonlinear strength behavior of the materials beneath the foundation is a possible source of the scale effect; however, this effect may be counterbalanced by the boundary restriction effect in laboratory experiments.