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Frictional granular mechanics: A variational approach

Journal Article · · International Journal for Numerical Methods in Engineering
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/nme.2727· OSTI ID:982913

The mechanical properties of a cohesionless granular material are evaluated from grain-scale simulations. Intergranular interactions, including friction and sliding, are modeled by a set of contact rules based on the theories of Hertz, Mindlin, and Deresiewicz. A computer generated, three-dimensional, irregular pack of spherical grains is loaded by incremental displacement of its boundaries. Deformation is described by a sequence of static equilibrium configurations of the pack. A variational approach is employed to find the equilibrium configurations by minimizing the total work against the intergranular loads. Effective elastic moduli are evaluated from the intergranular forces and the deformation of the pack. Good agreement between the computed and measured moduli, achieved with no adjustment of material parameters, establishes the physical soundness of the proposed model.

Research Organization:
Ernest Orlando Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA (US)
Sponsoring Organization:
Earth Sciences Division
DOE Contract Number:
AC02-05CH11231
OSTI ID:
982913
Report Number(s):
LBNL-3123E
Journal Information:
International Journal for Numerical Methods in Engineering, Journal Name: International Journal for Numerical Methods in Engineering Journal Issue: 10 Vol. 81; ISSN 0029-5981; ISSN IJNMBH
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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