Sliding and Rolling Constitutive Theory for Granular Materials

Abstract

By analyzing a microelement based on four spheres, equations governing the equilibrium of the microelement are developed. By examining these equations more closely, two primary mechanisms of failure of the microelements, one based on particle sliding and the other based on particle rolling, are identified. For each primary mechanism, two separate mechanisms, one based on collapse of the microelement in the vertical direction and the other based on collapse in the horizontal direction, are recognized. With the aid of these concepts, constitutive equations are developed for a two-dimensional assembly of granular particles. The assembly is considered to consist of four-sphere microelements. Taking the plastic strain to be a consequence of the collapse of some of the microelements, equations are developed for plastic strain. The formulation yields loading criteria and flow directions. With suitable hardening rules, it is shown that the microstructural model is capable of simulating most of the salient features of the stress-strain behavior of granular materials. In particular, the stress-dilatancy relation, taking into consideration phenomena of phase transformation, and critical state failure are simulated satisfactorily.