3D analysis of kinematic behavior of granular materials in triaxial testing using DEM with flexible membrane boundary

This paper describes the constitutive behavior and particle-scale kinematics of granular materials in three-dimensional (3D) axisymmetric triaxial testing using discrete element method (DEM). PFC3D code was used to run the DEM simulations using a flexible membrane boundary model consisting of spherical particles linked through flexible contact bonds. The overall deformation behavior of the specimen was then compared with the specimen with rigid boundary and experimental measurements. Computed tomography was used to track the evolution of particle translation and rotation within a laboratory triaxial specimen in 3D. The DEM model of the flexible membrane specimen successfully predicted the stress–strain behavior when compared with laboratory experiment results at different confining pressures. The DEM results showed that the rigid specimen applies a uniform deformation and leads to non-uniformities in the confining stress along the particle-boundary interface in the lateral direction. In contrast, the flexible specimen better replicates the uniformly applied confining stress of a laboratory triaxial experiment. The 3D DEM simulations of the specimen with flexible membrane overpredicted particle translation and rotation in all directions when compared to a laboratory triaxial specimen. The difference between the particle translation and rotation distributions of DEM specimens with rigid and flexible membrane is almost negligible. The DEM specimen with flexible membrane produces a better prediction of the macroscopic stress–strain behavior and deformation characteristics of granular materials in 3D DEM simulations when compared to a specimen with rigid membrane. Comparing macroscale response and particle-scale kinematics between triaxial simulation results of rigid versus flexible membrane demonstrated the significant influence of boundary effects on the constitutive behavior of granular materials.     

On the linear elastic responses of the 2D bonded discrete element model

The bonded discrete element model (DEM) is a numerical tool that is becoming widely used when studying fracturing, fragmentation, and failure of solids in various disciplines. However, its abilities to solve elastic problems are usually overlooked. In this work, the main features of the 2D bonded DEM which influence Poisson's ratio and Young's modulus, and accuracy when solving elastic boundary value problems, are investigated. Outputs of numerical simulations using the 2D bonded DEM, the finite element method, a hyper elasticity analysis, and the distinct lattice spring model (DLSM) are compared in the investigation. It is shown that a shear interaction (local) factor and a geometric (global) factor are two essential elements for the 2D bonded DEM to reproduce a full range of Poisson's ratios. It is also found that the 2D bonded DEM might be unable to reproduce the correct displacements for elastic boundary value problems when the represented Poisson's ratio is close to 0.5 or the long-range interaction is considered. In addition, an analytical relationship between the shear stiffness ratio and the Poisson's ratio, derived from a hyper elasticity analysis and applicable to discontinuum-based models, provides good agreement with outputs from the 2D bonded DEM and DLSM. Finally, it is shown that the selection of elastic parameters used the 2D bonded DEM has a significant effect on fracturing and fragment patterns of solids.     

A continuum‐discrete model using Darcy's law: formulation and verification

This paper presents a numerical scheme for fluid‐particle coupled discrete element method (DEM), which is based on poro‐elasticity. The motion of the particles is resolved by means of DEM. While within the proposition of Darcian regime, the fluid is assumed as a continuum phase on a Eulerian mesh, and the continuity equation on the fluid mesh for a compressible fluid is solved using the FEM. Analytical solutions of traditional soil mechanics examples, such as the isotropic compression and one‐dimensional upward seepage flow, were used to validate the proposed algorithm quantitatively. The numerical results showed very good agreement with the analytical solutions, which show the correctness of this algorithm. Sensitivity studies on the effect of some influential factors of the coupling scheme such as pore fluid bulk modulus, volumetric strain calculation, and fluid mesh size were performed to display the accuracy, efficiency, and robustness of the numerical algorithm. It is revealed that the pore fluid bulk modulus is a critical parameter that can affect the accuracy of the results. Because of the iterative coupling scheme of these algorithms, high value of fluid bulk modulus can result in instability and consequently reduction in the maximum possible time‐step. Furthermore, the increase of the fluid mesh size reduces the accuracy of the calculated pore pressure. This study enhances our current understanding of the capacity of fluid‐particle coupled DEM to simulate the mechanical behavior of saturated granular materials. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Use of machine learning for unraveling hidden correlations between particle size distributions and the mechanical behavior of granular materials

Acta Geotechnica - A data-driven framework was used to predict the macroscopic mechanical behavior of dense packings of polydisperse granular materials. The discrete element method, DEM, was used...     

Initial moduli of particulated mass with frictional contacts

The stiffness characteristics of a packing of granules are influenced by the particle interactions at contacts, the void ratio, the co-ordination number and the packing structure. A stress-strain relationship for the packings of spheres is presented. The relationship explicitly includes the contact force-displacement law and the parameters characterizing the packing structure. The initial moduli computed using this relationship are compared with experimental measurements and empirical equations for sands. The theoretical results are also compared with experimental results on packings of glass balls. Closed-form solutions are derived for statistically isotropic packings under initial isotropic stress conditions. Numerical solutions for the stiffness properties are obtained for anisotropic initial stress conditions and anisotropic packing structures.     

Numerical analysis of wave propagation through assemblies of elliptical particles

Wave propagation in granular materials is numerically studied using discrete element simulation. Primary interest is concerned with linking material microstructure with wave propagational behaviors for materials composed of elliptical particles. The discrete element (DEM) scheme uses a nonlinear hysteretic contact law which accounts for differences related to the radius of curvature at the interparticle point of contact. Modeling results yield information on wave speed and amplitude attenuation on two-dimensional, meso-domain model systems of both regular and random assemblies. Particulate models were numerically generated using a biasing scheme whereby partial control of particular fabric measures could be achieved. Three specific fabric measures which were used to characterize the granular material models include branch, contact normal and orienation vectors. DEM simulation results indicated that wave speed and attenuation generally correlated with vector distributions of these fabric variables. A power law relation was proposed between wave speed/attenuation and three averaged projected fabric variables based on orientation, contact normal and branch vectors. Predictions from this specific relation correlated reasonably well with DEM results.     

劈裂注浆复合土体平面等效弹性模型理论研究

控制隧道开挖引起的土体沉降变形是劈裂注浆的主要目的之一,隧道在劈裂注浆后复合土体的等效弹性参数取值直接关系着隧道在劈裂注浆后沉降变形的预测精度。首先在对已有劈裂扩散模型研究的基础上,按面积等效原则提出了隧道劈裂注浆后复合土体的二维简化等效单元体模型,并基于均质化理论按变形协调原则推导了二维简化单元体模型的等效弹性参数解析解。然后采用有限元方法分别计算并分析了模型在简化前后的等效弹性参数;同时把二维简化等效单元体模型的有限元计算结果和解析计算结果也做了对比分析。最后基于解析结果分析了土体和浆液结石体各自的弹性参数以及浆液注入率对等效弹性参数的影响。结果表明：（1）按面积等效原则对模型进行简化处理的方法是可行的,可以按照简化模型进行弹性阶段的理论分析;（2）解析结果与有限元结果具有良好的一致性,说明了解析结果的合理性;（3）复合土体的等效弹性模量和等效泊松比主要受浆液注入率和浆液固结体本身模量的影响;浆液固结体的泊松比对等效弹性模量的影响几乎可以忽略。     

劈裂注浆复合土体三维等效弹性模型理论研究

劈裂注浆可以有效改善土体的变形参数,大大降低土体在受力状态改变时的变形量,对劈裂注浆后复合土体的等效变形参数进行研究十分重要。在综合分析劈裂注浆扩散机制和工程应用实际的基础上,基于均质化理论提出了劈裂注浆后复合土体的三维单元体几何模型,按等效原则给出了浆-土体积及受力分配关系模型图;接着基于横向各向同性本构关系推导了模型的等效弹性模量和等效泊松比的解析解。然后采用有限元方法取得了模型特定条件下的等效弹性模量和等效泊松比,并与解析结果进行对比分析。最后把模型和相应的解析结果引入Flac3D岩土工程专业分析软件,结合一个热力隧道工程实例对隧道劈裂注浆后关键位置的沉降进行预测分析,并与实测值进行了对比。研究表明：对所提出的计算模型,解析计算与有限元方法计算结果吻合度较高,说明了解析结果的正确性;基于该模型及其解析结果得到的隧道开挖后的沉降预测值与实测值具有良好的一致性,说明所提出的模型和相应的解析计算方法具有一定的可靠性和实用性。     

Three-dimensional random network model for thermal conductivity in particulate materials

This paper describes a three-dimensional random network model to evaluate the thermal conductivity of particulate materials. The model is applied to numerical assemblies of poly-dispersed spheres generated using the discrete element method (DEM). The grain size distribution of Ottawa 20–30 sand is modeled using a logistic function in the DEM assemblies to closely reproduce the gradation of physical specimens. The packing density and inter-particle contact areas controlled by confining stress are explored as variables to underscore the effects of micro- and macro-scales on the effective thermal conductivity in particulate materials. It is assumed that skeletal structure of 3D granular system consists of the web of particle bodies interconnected by thermal resistor at contacts. The inter-particle contact condition (e.g., the degree of particle separation or overlap) and the particle radii determine the thermal conductance between adjacent particles. The Gauss–Seidel method allows evaluation of the evolution of temperature variation in the linear system. Laboratory measurements of thermal conductivity of Ottawa 20–30 sand corroborate the calculated results using the proposed network model. The model is extended to explore the evolution of thermal conduction depending on the nucleation habits of secondary solid phase as an anomalous material in the pore space. The proposed network model highlights that the coordination number, packing density and the inter-particle contact condition are integrated together to dominate the heat transfer characteristics in particulate materials, and allows fundamental understanding of particle-scale mechanism in macro-scale manifestation.     

Setting up virgin stress conditions in discrete element models

In the present work, a methodology for setting up virgin stress conditions in discrete element models is proposed. The developed algorithm is applicable to discrete or coupled discrete/continuum modeling of underground excavation employing the discrete element method (DEM). Since the DEM works with contact forces rather than stresses there is a need for the conversion of pre-excavation stresses to contact forces for the DEM model. Different possibilities of setting up virgin stress conditions in the DEM model are reviewed and critically assessed. Finally, a new method to obtain a discrete element model with contact forces equivalent to given macroscopic virgin stresses is proposed. The test examples presented show that good results may be obtained regardless of the shape of the DEM domain.     

Micromechanical parameters in bonded particle method for modelling of brittle material failure

Bonded particle modelling (BPM) is nowadays being extensively used for simulating brittle material failure. In BPM, material is modelled as a dense assemblage of particles (grains) connected together by contacts (cement). This sort of modelling seriously depends on the mechanical properties of particle and contact, which are named here as micro‐parameters. However, a definite calibration methodology to obtain micro‐parameters has not been so far established; and many have reported some serious problems. In this research, a calibration procedure to find a unique set of micro‐parameters is established. To attain this purpose, discrete element code of UDEC is used to perform BPM. This code can be conveniently developed by the user. The proposed BPM is composed of rigid polygonal particles interacting at their contact points. These contacts can undergo a certain amount of tension, and their shear resistance is provided by cohesion and friction angle. The results demonstrate that each material macro‐property (i.e. Young's modulus, Poisson's ratio, internal friction angel, internal cohesion, and tensile strength) is directly originated from and distinctly related to the contact properties (i.e. normal and shear stiffness, friction angel, cohesion, and tensile strength). Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Characterisation of conduction phenomena in soils at the particle-scale: Finite element analyses in conjunction with synthetic 3D imaging

This paper describes an innovative method to characterise conduction parameters in geomaterials at the particle-scale. The technique is exemplified using 3D synthetic grain packing generated with discrete element approaches. This creates a geo-mechanically viable user-defined 3D granular image through which the particle skeleton and the corresponding pore network are constructed. Images are then imported into the finite element analyses to solve the governing equations of hydraulic and thermal conduction. Navier–Stokes equation is uniquely upscaled to Darcy’s law to assess hydraulic conductivity in soils, while a similar approach implements the Fourier equation to evaluate thermal conduction through grain chains and pore network. High performance computing is used to meet demanding numerical calculations of 3D meshed geometries. Packing density (i.e., porosity) and inter-particle contact areas are explored as variables to highlight the effects of pore volume and inter-particle contact condition in hydraulic and thermal conduction. This emerging technique allows not only characterising the macro-scale behaviour of conduction phenomena in soils but also quantifying and visualising the preferential and local conduction behaviour at the particle-scale. Laboratory measurements of hydraulic and thermal conductivities support numerically obtained results and validate the viability of the new methods used herein. This study introduces an alternative way to determine physical parameters of soils using emerging technology of rigorous numerical simulations in conjunction with 3D images, and to enable fundamental observation of particle-scale mechanisms of macro-scale manifestation.     

Relating discrete element method parameters to rock properties using classical and micropolar elasticity theories

Micro–macro relations for discrete element method (DEM) media are derived using both classical and micropolar elasticity theories. The DEM media are classified into two main categories: dense packing, and loose packing. For both categories, relations for Young modulus (E), Poisson's ratio (ν) to represent static behaviors, and wave velocities (P‐wave and S‐wave) to represent dynamic behaviors are derived using the internal DEM parameters (k_n, k_s) and compared with values obtained from static and dynamic numerical tests. Whereas the dynamic behaviors for the two categories and the static behaviors for the dense packing match the analytical relations, the static behavior for the loose packing does not. Micropolar elasticity theory is also used to study the behaviors of the DEM media, where it is shown that if element rotation is included, DEM media behave according to linear elasticity theory. However, if element rotation is constrained, asymmetrical stresses arise in the DEM media, and a new expression is derived for the S‐wave, which allows it, under certain conditions, to travel faster than the P‐wave. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

基于抗转模型的颗粒材料宏−细观关系研究

接触模型的宏?细观参数标定是成功使用离散元方法的关键。在离散元的接触模型中线性接触模型与抗转线性接触模型均可用于模拟砂性土的力学行为,其中抗转线性接触模型在模拟密砂的剪胀性方面具备优势。采用抗转线性接触模型对室内密实砂土三轴试验进行了离散元模拟,验证了抗转线性接触模型的可靠性;进而系统分析了颗粒间摩擦系数、刚度比和抗转动系数等细观参数与砂土峰值内摩擦角、残余内摩擦角、峰值剪胀角等宏观参数的相关关系并进行了验证;揭示了偏应力作用下,细观参数对密实砂土试样内部剪切带宽度与倾角变化的影响规律,提出了考虑剪胀角的剪切带倾角经验公式。通过研究建立了抗转线性接触模型宏?细观参数的量化关系并给出了标定参数的具体流程图,提出了快速标定宏观参数的方法并应用实例进行了验证,为采用抗转线性接触模型精准模拟密实砂土的力学特性提供依据。     

3D polycrystalline discrete element method (3PDEM) for simulation of crack initiation and propagation in granular rock

A three-dimensional Voronoi tessellation model based on the distinct element method (DEM) is proposed to model the representative part of the microstructures of granular brittle rocks. Regularization is employed to decrease the frequency of polyhedrons with large edge ratio and contributes to a higher efficiency for element meshing. Sensitivity analyses are performed for a series of micro contact parameters in accordance with the macro responses observed in laboratory experiments (e.g. the uniaxial compression test, the Brazilian disc test and the triaxial compression test). Verifications by simulating the spalling test and plate impact test indicate that the 3D polycrystalline discrete element method (3PDEM) can be employed for efficiently simulating nonlinear mechanical behaviors, large deformation, strain softening and rock dynamics.     

Three-dimensional DEM investigation of critical state and dilatancy behaviors of granular materials

The critical state is significant to the mechanical behaviors of granular materials and the foundation of the constitutive relations. Using the discrete element method (DEM), the mechanical behaviors of granular materials can be investigated on both the macroscopic and microscopic levels. A series of DEM simulations under true triaxial conditions have been performed to explore the critical state and dilatancy behavior of granular materials, which show the qualitatively similar macroscopic responses as the experimental results. The critical void ratio and stress ratio under different stress paths are presented. A unique critical state line (CSL) is shown to indicate that the intermediate principal stress ratio does not influence the CSL. Within the framework of the unique critical state, the stress–dilatancy relation of DEM simulations is found to fulfill the state-dependent dilatancy equations. As a microscopic parameter to evaluate the static determinacy of the granular system, the redundancy ratio is defined and investigated. The results show that the critical state is very close to the statically determinate state. Other particle-level indexes, including the distribution of the contact forces and the anisotropies, are carefully investigated to analyze the microstructural evolution and the underlying mechanism. The microscopic analysis shows that both the contact orientations and contact forces influence the mechanical behaviors of granular materials.     

掘削卵砾石地层颗粒离散元模拟中的细观参数取值讨论

卵砾石地层被掘削时,其主要破坏模式并非一般的宏观整体剪切破坏,而是刀具切入卵砾石间的缝隙,将卵砾石颗粒剥离出原始地层,该过程较为契合颗粒离散元的物理力学假设。为确定掘削工况下的颗粒材料最优细观参数,对不同的颗粒接触法向刚度、接触刚度比、粒间摩擦系数、颗粒形状、颗粒尺寸等的颗粒材料开展了截割三维仿真试验,并分析研究了不同细观参数对掘削效果的影响。计算结果显示：颗粒接触法向刚度、接触刚度比的多种细观参数组合可以对应同一个宏观弹性模量值,接触刚度比大的细观参数组合的抗掘削能力更大。颗粒形状、粒间摩擦系数的多种细观参数组合可以对应同一个内摩擦角值,形状复杂的颗粒材料具有更大的抗掘削能力。在宏观参数相同的情况下,平均粒径更大的颗粒材料抗掘削能力更大。因此,利用颗粒离散元模拟掘削卵砾石地层问题时,除需保证虚拟颗粒材料的宏观整体剪切破坏响应与真实材料基本一致外,还需根据材料的抗掘削能力进一步标定细观参数,以获得更贴近实际情况的模拟效果。文章提出的方法可以为其他颗粒离散元掘削工况数值模拟中的参数标定提供参照依据。     

Coupling of solid deformation and pore pressure for undrained deformation—a discrete element method approach

This paper presents a numerical scheme for fluid‐particle coupling that uses the discrete element method by taking into consideration solid deformation and pore pressure generation. A new water particle element is introduced to calculate pore water pressure due to porosity changes. The water particle element has the same size and shape as the solid element and experiences the same amount of deformation. On the basis of the effective stress principle at the element contact, the total force is equal to the sum of the force transmitted through the solid element contact and the water particle force due to pore water pressure. Analytical solutions of traditional soil mechanics problems, such as isotropic compression and consolidated triaxial undrained test, are used to quantitatively validate the proposed model. The numerical results show good agreement between the model and the analytical solutions. The model therefore provides an effective method to calculate pore pressure in a porous medium in discrete modeling.     

列车荷载下轨道系统-层状横观各向同性饱和地基动力响应

基于Biot波动理论,构建列车荷载-轨道系统-双层状横观各向同性饱和地基模型,将模型分为上覆路轨系统和地层系统。对上覆路轨系统和地层系统处理,并利用双重Fourier变换技术,在变换域中将横观各向同性饱和地基动力响应的求解简化为求解一个6阶控制方程的特征值问题,进而得到了列车荷载作用下双层横观各向同性饱和地基力响应的解析结果。利用离散Fourier逆变换得到数值计算结果,重点分析了上下土层的刚度和泊松比对位移和孔隙水压力和剪切应力响应的影响,结果表明,上、下土层刚度差异对地基动力响应有较大影响,土层各向异性参数中模量的影响较泊松比大。计算结果可为软土路基加固深度的确定提供理论依据。