A density‐dependent elastoplastic hydro‐mechanical model for unsaturated compacted soils

This paper presents a three‐dimensional elastoplastic constitutive model for predicting the hydraulic and mechanical behaviour of unsaturated soils. It is based on experimental results obtained from a series of controlled‐suction triaxial tests on unsaturated compacted clay with different initial densities. Hydraulic hysteresis in the water‐retention behaviour is modelled as an elastoplastic process, with the elastic part modelled by a series of scanning curves and the elastoplastic part modelled by the main drying and wetting curves. The effect of void ratio on the water‐retention behaviour is studied using data obtained from controlled‐suction wetting–drying cyclic tests on unsaturated compacted clay with different initial densities. The effect of the degree of saturation on the stress–strain‐strength behaviour and the effect of void ratio on the water‐retention behaviour are considered in the model, as is the effect of suction on the hydraulic and mechanical behaviour. The initial density dependency of the compacted soil behaviour is modelled by experimental relationships between the initial density and the corresponding yield stress and, thereby, between the initial density and the normal compression line. The model is generalized to three‐dimensional stress states by assuming that the shapes of the failure and yield surfaces in the deviatoric stress plane are given by the Matsuoka–Nakai criterion. Model predictions of the stress–strain and water‐retention behaviour are compared with those obtained from triaxial tests with different initial densities under isotropic compression, triaxial compression and triaxial extension, with or without variation in suction. The comparisons indicate that the model accurately predicts the hydraulic and mechanical behaviour of unsaturated compacted soils with different initial densities using the same material constant. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Coupled modelling of hydro‐mechanical behaviour of unsaturated compacted expansive soils

The Barcelona basic model cannot predict the mechanical behaviour of unsaturated expansive soils, whereas the Barcelona expansive model (BExM) can only predict the stress–strain behaviour of unsaturated expansive soils without the water‐retention behaviour being incorporated. Moreover, the micro‐parameters and the coupling function between micro‐structural and macro‐structural strains in the BExM are difficult to determine. Experimental data show that the compression curves for non‐expansive soils under constant suctions are shifted towards higher void ratios with increasing suction, whereas the opposite is true for expansive soils. According to the observed water‐retention behaviour of unsaturated expansive soils, the air‐entry value increases with density, and the relationship between the degree of saturation and void ratio is linear at constant suction. According to the above observation, an elastoplastic constitutive model is developed for predicting the hydraulic and mechanical behaviour of unsaturated expansive soils, based on the existing hydro‐mechanical model for non‐expansive unsaturated soil. The model takes into consideration the effect of degree of saturation on the mechanical behaviour and that of void ratio on the water‐retention behaviour. The concept of equivalent void ratio curve is introduced to distinguish the plastic potential curve from the yield curve. The model predictions are compared with the test results of an unsaturated expansive soil, including swelling tests under constant net stress, isotropic compression tests and triaxial shear tests under constant suction. The comparison indicates that the model offers great potential for quantitatively predicting the hydraulic and mechanical behaviour of unsaturated expansive soils. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A unified bounding surface plasticity model for unsaturated soils

A unified constitutive model for unsaturated soils is presented in a critical state framework using the concepts of effective stress and bounding surface plasticity theory. Consideration is given to the effects of unsaturation and particle crushing in the definition of the critical state. A simple isotropic elastic rule is adopted. A loading surface and a bounding surface of the same shape are defined using simple and versatile functions. The bounding surface and elastic rules lead to the existence of a limiting isotropic compression line, towards which the stress trajectories of all isotropic compression load paths approach. A non‐associated flow rule of the same general form is assumed for all soil types. Isotropic hardening/softening occurs due to changes in plastic volumetric strains as well as suction for some unsaturated soils, enabling the phenomenon of volumetric collapse upon wetting to be accounted for. The model is used to simulate the stress–strain behaviour observed in unsaturated speswhite kaolin subjected to three triaxial test load paths. The fit between simulation and experiment is improved compared to that of other constitutive models developed using conventional Cam‐Clay‐based plasticity theory and calibrated using the same set of data. Also, the model is used to simulate to a high degree of accuracy the stress–strain behaviour observed in unsaturated Kurnell sand subjected to two triaxial test load paths and the oedometric compression load path. For oedometric compression theoretical simulations indicate that the suction was not sufficiently large to cause samples to separate from the confining ring. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

非饱和土三轴压缩应力路径试验的数值模拟研究

应力路径对土的强度和变形性质具有重要影响。相对于饱和土而言,控制吸力条件下的非饱和土三轴压缩状态的应力路径研究更加复杂。随着非饱和土本构理论的不断发展,理论和试验研究结果表明,非饱和土弹塑性本构模型可以用来近似地描述非饱和土的强度和变形性质。因而,运用非饱和土弹塑性本构模型对控制吸力条件下的3种非饱和土三轴压缩应力路径试验进行数值模拟是一种有效的理论研究手段。采用Barcelona模型能够对此类试验进行较好的数值模拟,其研究结果表明,在控制吸力条件的三轴压缩状态下应力路径对非饱和土的强度和变形性质具有重要影响。     

不同干密度非饱和膨胀土的三轴试验研究

重塑非饱和膨胀土的结构特征是影响其强度和变形等性质的重要因素。在不同初始干密度下击实的试样具有不同的初始结构。吸力和净围压的作用使得试样结构产生变化,从而呈现出不同的剪切特征。进行了一系列的控制吸力的三轴试验,试验结果表明,吸力和净围压的增加使得试样的抗剪强度提高,剪胀性减小;初始干密度大的试样也有更高的强度,且呈现出明显的剪胀现象。     

Shear strength of a compacted scaly clay in variable saturation conditions

Scaly clays are stiff and highly fissured clays often used as construction materials. This paper presents the results of triaxial compression tests carried out on saturated and unsaturated samples of a compacted scaly clay. Complementary investigation on the microstructural features and their evolution with the amount of water stored into the material are also presented in order to shed light on the evolution of the micro- and macroporosity with suction. The water retention behaviour of the compacted scaly clay is also addressed. The results from the controlled suction triaxial tests are used to discuss the applicability of a single-shear strength criterion to compacted double-structured clays when the effective stress concept for unsaturated soils is used. The choice of the degree of saturation to be included in the effective stress definition for obtaining a satisfactory representation of the shear strength is addressed. It is shown that the best results are obtained when the macropore degree of saturation is considered along with its evolution during the applied stress path.     

An advanced hydro-mechanical constitutive model for unsaturated soils with different initial densities

This paper presents an advanced constitutive model for unsaturated soils, using Bishop’s effective stress (σ′) and the effective degree of saturation (S_e) as two fundamental constitutive variables in the proposed constitutive model. A sub-loading surface and a unified hardening parameter (H) are introduced into the σ′–S_e modelling framework to interpret the effects of initial density on coupled hydro-mechanical behaviour of compacted soils. Compared with existing models in the literature, the main advantage of the proposed model that it is capable of modelling hydro-mechanical behaviour of unsaturated soils compacted to different initial densities, such as the dependence of loading–collapse volume on initial void ratio and density effect on the shearing-induced saturation change. The proposed model requires 13 material parameters, all of which can be calibrated through conventional laboratory tests. Numerical studies are conducted to assess the performance of the model for a hypothetical soil under two typical hydro-mechanical loading scenarios. The proposed advanced unsaturated soil model is then validated against a number of experimental results for both isotropic and triaxial conditions reported in the literature.     

非饱和上海软土水力和力学特性耦合弹塑性模拟

目前大多数非饱和土的弹塑性本构模型用非饱和击实土的试验结果进行验证,但现场其他类型的土,如沉积土经常有在非饱和状态下外部环境变化的情况。现有的非饱和土弹塑性模型是否适用于沉积土一类的现场土是需要研究的课题。进行非饱和上海第③层土的吸力控制排水排气三轴剪切试验,使用文中提出的能统一考虑非饱和土水力性状和力学性状的弹塑性本构模型,预测上述三轴试验结果,并与试验数据进行比较。比较结果显示,建立的本构模型能够很好地预测非饱和上海软土的水力和力学性质,说明该模型不仅可以适用击实土的预测,还能够很好地适用于其他类型非饱和土的水力和力学性质的模拟。     

A bounding surface plasticity model for unsaturated soil at small strains

Most existing hydromechanical models for unsaturated soils are not able to fully capture the nonlinearity of stress–strain curves at small strains (less than 1%). They cannot therefore, for example, accurately predict ground movements and the performance of many earth structures under working conditions. To tackle this problem, a state‐dependent bounding surface plasticity model has been newly developed. Particularly, the degradation of shear modulus with strain at small strains ranging from 0.001% to 1% is focused. The proposed model is formulated in terms of mean average skeleton stress, deviator stress, suction, specific volume and degree of saturation. Void ratio‐dependent hydraulic hysteresis is coupled with the stress–strain behaviour. Different from other elastoplastic models for unsaturated soils, plastic strains are allowed inside bounding surfaces. In this paper, details of model formulations and calibration procedures of model parameters are presented. To evaluate the capability of the new model, it is applied to simulate a series of triaxial compression tests on compacted unsaturated silt at various suctions. Effects of suction, drying and wetting as well as net stress on unsaturated soil behaviour are well captured. The model shows good predictions of the degradation of shear modulus with strain over a wide range of strains from 0.001% to 1%. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A unified mechanical and retention model for saturated and unsaturated soil behaviour

The coupled mechanical and water retention elasto-plastic constitutive model of Wheeler, Sharma and Buisson (the Glasgow coupled model, GCM) predicts unique unsaturated isotropic normal compression and unsaturated critical state planar surfaces for specific volume and degree of saturation when soil states are at the intersection of mechanical (M) and wetting retention (WR) yield surfaces. Experimental results from tests performed by Sivakumar on unsaturated samples of compacted speswhite kaolin confirm the existence and form of these unique surfaces. The GCM provides consistent representation of transitions between saturated and unsaturated conditions, including the influence of retention hysteresis and the effect of plastic volumetric strains on retention behaviour, and it gives unique expressions to predict saturation and de-saturation conditions (air-exclusion and air-entry points, respectively). Mechanical behaviour is modelled consistently across these transitions, including appropriate variation of mechanical yield stress under both saturated and unsaturated conditions. The expressions defining the unsaturated isotropic normal compression planar surfaces for specific volume and degree of saturation are central to the development of a relatively straightforward methodology for determining values of all GCM parameters (soil constants and initial state) from a limited number of laboratory tests. This methodology is demonstrated by application to the experimental data of Sivakumar. Comparison of model simulations with experimental results for the full set of Sivakumar’s isotropic loading stages demonstrates that the model is able to predict accurately the variation of both specific volume and degree of saturation during isotropic stress paths under saturated and unsaturated conditions.     

基于SFG模型的统一屈服面本构模型与试验研究

将SFG模型中的加载湿陷屈服面（LC屈服面）与BBM模型中提出的吸力增加屈服面（SI屈服面）统一成为单独光滑的屈服面,基于弹塑性理论框架,推导出相应的弹塑性本构模型。通过非饱和固结直剪试验对江西红土的模型计算参数的应力-应变曲线与试验结果进行对比。结果表明：模型对多种应力路径下非饱和三轴试验的计算结果与相应试验的测定结果较为吻合,验证了模型能较好地模拟非饱和土在多种应力路径下的体应变行为。统一屈服面简化了加载湿陷屈服面与吸力增加屈服面之间的耦合分析,解决了因双屈服面的不连续而造成计算不便问题,拓宽了SFG模型的适用性。     

非饱和黏土动力特性及等价黏弹性模型的试验研究

针对非饱和重塑黏土,利用改进的非饱和土静力-动力液压三轴-扭转多功能剪切仪,在固结排水（CD）条件下进行了应力控制式分级加载的循环三轴试验,通过对试验结果的对比分析,探讨了初始固结压力和基质吸力(孔隙气压力Ua与孔隙水压力Uw之差)对非饱和土动应力-动应变关系特性的影响。以此为基础,将Hardin-Drnerich等价黏弹性模型和Masing加卸载准则进行了改进,并得到了可以考虑基质吸力的非饱和黏土的等价黏弹性模型。进而对试验数据与模型预测结果进行比较,结果表明这种改进的非饱和土等价黏弹性模型能较好预测各种基质吸力下非饱和土的动应力-动应变关系。     

Modelling the elastic behaviour of granular materials

A review of the literature indicates that the elastic behaviour of granular materials is isotropic and that Poissony's ratio is constant, whereas Young's Modulus, the bulk modulus and the shear modulus vary with the mean normal stress and the deviatoric stress. A nonlinear, isotropic model for the elastic behaviour is developed on the basis of theoretical considerations involving the principle of conservation of energy. Energy is therefore neither generated not dissipated in closed-loop stress paths or in closed-loop strain paths. The framework for the model consists of Hooke's law, in which Poission's ratio is constant and Young's modulus is expressed as a power function invlving the first invariat of the stress tensor and the second invariant of the deviatoric stress tensor. The characteristics of the model are described, and the accuracy is evaluated by comparison with experimental results from triaxial tests and three-dimensional cubical triaxial tests with a variety of stress paths. Parameter determination from unloading–reloading cycles in conventional triaxial compression tests is demonstrated, typical parameter values are given for granular materials and extension of the model to soils with effective cohesion is described.     

杭州湾浅层储气砂土应力路径试验研究

利用GDS非饱和三轴试验系统开展了杭州湾储气砂土主动压缩、被动压缩、主动伸长与被动伸长等4种应力路径试验研究,以论证应力路径对非饱和砂土的变形性状与强度特性影响。结果表明,在卸荷应力路径被动压缩与被动伸长下非饱和砂土的应力-应变曲线呈明显的应变软化性状,而加荷应力路径主动压缩与主动伸长则分别表现为轻度应变软化及显著应变硬化变形特征;非饱和砂土的强度参数在卸荷与加荷应力路径中也存在差异,前者的有效凝聚力高于后者,而内摩擦角则相反;但其表观凝聚力与基质吸力关系在不同应力路径下均可用乘幂函数 有效描述,而试验参数a、b值不同,公式 可合理地用于表述非饱和砂土的强度特性。     

不同应力路径下剪切带的数值模拟

采用回映应力更新算法,编写了基于伏斯列夫面的超固结黏土本构关系模型子程序,嵌入非线性有限元软件ABAQUS。通过对单元试验进行三轴压缩、三轴伸长及平面应变等问题的模型预测,再现了超固结黏土在不同初始超固结比和应力路径时的变形和强度特性,从而验证了子程序的正确性。借助该本构模型,对三轴压缩、三轴伸长及平面应变应力路径下超固结黏土体变形局部化问题,进行了三维数值模拟。分析结果表明：超固结黏土在三轴压缩及伸长状态时,土体变形局部化在应力-应变关系软化时出现,而平面应变状态时,在应力-应变关系硬化阶段出现,其超固结黏土的剪胀特性在剪切带的形成过程中起重要作用。     

Mathematical modelling of monotonic and cyclic undrained clay behaviour

The proposed general analytical model describes the anisotropic, elasto-plastic, path-dependent, stress-strain-strength properties of inviscid saturated clays under undrained loading conditions. The model combines properties of isotropic and kinematic plasticity by introducing the concept of a field of plastic moduli which is defined in stress space by the relative configuration of yield surfaces. For any loading (or unloading) history, the instantaneous configuration is determined by calculating the translation and contraction (or expansion) of each yield surface. The stress-strain behaviour of clays can thus be determined for complex loading paths and in particular for cyclic loadings. The stress-strain relationships are provided for use in finite element analyses. The model parameters required to characterize the behaviour of any given clay can be derived entirely from conventional triaxial or simple shear soil test results. The model's extreme versatility is demonstrated by using it to formulate the behaviour of the Drammen clay under both monotonic and cyclic loading conditions. The parameters are determined by using solely the results from monotonic and cyclic strain-controlled simple shear experimental tests, and the model's accuracy is evaluated by applying it to predict the results of other tests such as (1) cyclic stress-controlled simple shear tests, (2) monotonic triaxial loading compression and unloading extension tests, and (3) cyclic stress- and strain-controlled triaxial tests on, this same clay. The theoretical predictions are found to agree extremely well with the experimental test results.     

真三轴条件下非饱和黄土的有效应力屈服特性

为了研究非饱和黄土在有效应力空间的屈服特性,利用真三轴仪对非饱和原状黄土进行了不排水等向净应力压缩固结和不同中主应力参数b值的剪切试验,研究了真三轴压缩条件下非饱和黄土的有效应力屈服变化规律。研究结果表明：有效应力比随着中主应力或净围压的增大而减小,中主应力的增大作用对有效球应力的影响大于广义剪应力;由有效应力比?体应变关系曲线确定的剪缩屈服曲线在有效应力空间具有良好的规律性,屈服点的有效屈服应力随着中主应力和初始吸力的增大而增大;π平面上的有效应力屈服强度面和强度破坏面与SMP强度准则稳合较好,有效球应力和初始吸力越大,屈服强度面和强度破坏面越大。提出了真三轴条件下弹性剪应变和塑性剪应变的计算公式,通过分析有效应力与塑性应变关系得出有效应力空间中不同子午平面内的塑性势面呈椭圆形,且随着中主应力的增大,椭圆屈服面增大。     

真三轴条件下原状黄土的非线性本构模型

为了研究复杂应力条件下非饱和原状黄土的非线性本构模型,通过考虑真三轴条件下中主应力和吸力对大主应变的影响,提出了一个考虑中主应力影响的非饱和原状黄土的非线性本构模型。该模型包含12个参数,均可由常含水率非饱和土真三轴试验确定。研究了中主应力对土体变形和强度的影响,探讨了模型参数的变化规律。初始吸力一定时,土体的黏聚力随着中主应力的增大而增大,而内摩擦角随着中主应力的增大呈线性减小趋势。当吸力小于162 kPa时,吸力摩擦角等于21.8°;当吸力大于162 kPa时,吸力摩擦角等于5.5°。初始吸力相同时,不同中主应力条件下土体的体积模量可取为常数。利用该模型预估了常含水率真三轴等向固结试验的吸力变化规律,理论结果与试验结果比较接近。但是对于真三轴剪切试验吸力的预估还需要进行深入探讨。     

A viscoplastic subloading soil model for rate‐dependent cyclic anisotropic structured behaviour

This paper presents a new purely viscoplastic soil model based on the subloading surface concept with a mobile centre of homothety, enabling the occurrence of viscoplastic strains inside the yield surface and avoiding the abrupt change in stiffness of the traditional overstress viscoplastic models. This is required for overconsolidated soils. The model is formulated to reproduce the soil rate‐dependent behaviour under cyclic loading (changes in loading direction) and incorporates both initial and induced anisotropy, as well as destructuring. The model shows good qualitative response to some imposed three‐dimensional stress paths under quasi‐inviscid (elastoplastic) behaviour. Some of the main time‐dependent aspects of soil behaviour that the model is capable of reproducing were also illustrated. The capability of the model to adequately reproduce the results from an undrained triaxial test performed on stiff overconsolidated clays from the Lisbon region (Formação de Benfica), with an unloading–reloading deviatoric stress cycle at constant mean stress, that incorporates a series of staggered fast loading and creep stages, was evaluated. The model was able to reproduce well the main observed aspects of the time‐dependent stress–strain response and pore pressure evolution of a stiff overconsolidated clay under complex loading. The revised and generalised viscoplastic subloading surface concept is viable and can be applied to a consistent extension to viscoplasticity, including in the interior of the yield surface, of existing elastoplastic models formulated for soils and other materials. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Cavity expansion in unsaturated soils exhibiting hydraulic hysteresis considering three drainage conditions

Cavity expansion theory assists in the interpretation of in situ tests including the cone penetration test and pressuremeter test. In this paper, a cavity expansion analysis is presented for unsaturated silty sand exhibiting hydraulic hysteresis. The similarity technique is used in the analysis. The soil stress–strain behaviour is described by a bounding surface plasticity model. Results of oedometric compression tests, isotropic compression tests and triaxial shear tests for both saturated and unsaturated states are used to calibrate the model. The void ratio, suction, degree of saturation and effective stress are fully coupled in the analysis. The influence of where the initial hydraulic state is located on the soil–water characteristic curve on the cavity wall pressure is investigated and found to be significant. Also, the effects of three different drainage conditions (constant suction, constant moisture content and constant contribution of suction to the effective stress) on cavity wall pressure are studied. It is found that the drainage condition in which the contribution of suction to the effective stress is constant offers a good approximation to the other two. This may simplify interpretation of in situ tests. When testing occurs quickly, meaning a constant moisture content condition prevails, a constant contribution of suction condition can be assumed without loss of significant accuracy. The contribution of suction assumed in the interpretation can be taken as being equal to the in situ value, although this discovery may not be applicable to all soil types, constitutive models and soil–water characteristic curves. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.