Investigating the micro mechanics of cemented sand using DEM

de Bono, John P.; McDowell, Glenn R.; Wanatowski, Dariusz

Abstract

The discrete element method has been used to investigate the micro mechanics of cemented sand. High pressure drained triaxial tests are modelled in 3D using a flexible membrane which allows the correct deformation to develop. Simulations with up to 12 MPa confining pressure are presented, which are compared with laboratory experiments on a sand with a range of cement contents. Cementation is modelled using ‘parallel bonds’, and various parameters and strength distributions are investigated. Varying levels of cementation are successfully modelled, with the correct qualitative behaviour observed, and the separate effects of cementation and confining pressures demonstrated. The triaxial behaviour is found to be highly influenced by the distribution of bond strengths.

Citation

de Bono, J. P., McDowell, G. R., & Wanatowski, D. (2015). Investigating the micro mechanics of cemented sand using DEM. International Journal for Numerical and Analytical Methods in Geomechanics, 39(6), https://doi.org/10.1002/nag.2340

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 27, 2014
• Online Publication Date: Dec 9, 2014
• Publication Date: Apr 25, 2015
• Deposit Date: May 17, 2016
• Publicly Available Date: May 17, 2016
• Journal: International Journal for Numerical and Analytical Methods in Geomechanics
• Print ISSN: 0363-9061
• Electronic ISSN: 1096-9853
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 39
• Issue: 6
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/nag.2340
• Keywords: discrete element method; cemented sand; triaxial
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/749051
• Publisher URL: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/nag.2340/abstract
• Additional Information: This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: "Investigating the micro mechanics of cemented sand using DEM", 2015, de Bono, J.P.; McDowell, G.R.; Wanatowski, D. International Journal for Numerical and Analytical Methods in Geomechanics 39(6) 655-675, which has been published in final form at: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/nag.2340/abstract.; This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving."