An analytical investigation of the effect of non-uniformity on the elastic moduli of granular media. (15th October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gerolymatou, E.; Triantafyllidis, T.
• Is Part Of: International journal of solids and structures. Volume 97/98(2016)
• Page Start: 613
• Page End: 624
• Publication Date: 2016-10-15
• Subjects: Small strain shear modulus -- Granular media -- Coefficient of uniformity -- Upscalling -- Polydispersity; Mechanics, Applied -- Periodicals; Structural analysis (Engineering) -- Periodicals; Elastic solids -- Periodicals; Mécanique appliquée -- Périodiques; Constructions, Théorie des -- Périodiques; Solides élastiques -- Périodiques; Elastic solids; Mechanics, Applied; Structural analysis (Engineering); Periodicals; 624.18
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijsolstr.2016.05.017
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0020-7683

Abstract

Highlights: The effect of polydispersity on the small strain elastic moduli is considered. For their evaluation an upscaling technique based on the elastic energy is used. Two different types of granulometric curves are considered. The elastic moduli show a strong dependence of the coefficient of uniformity. The model captures well the laboratory results. Graphical abstract: Abstract: The present work is concerned with the analytical investigation of the effect of polydispersity on the elastic moduli of granular media. Empirical formulas are available for the estimation of elastic parameters of sands, especially for the shear modulus, usually as a function of the void ratio and the effective mean pressure. These relationships do not reflect the dependence of the small strain shear modulus on the granulometric material properties and especially on the non-uniformity index. This dependence is however strong as shown by experimental results. In the present work it is attempted to derive this qualitative dependence analytically, so as to provide a better understanding of the observations. Two different forms of granulometric curves are considered and the small strain moduli derived for isotropic and triaxial compression. In spite of the purely theoretical nature of the approach, the results are in good agreement with the experiments. A simplified formula is suggested, to facilitate application.