Discrete Numerical Model for Soil Mechanics

Abstract

The Distinct Element Method (DEM), a numerical technique which treats soil as a discrete assemblage of particles, can be useful when local yield, bifurcation behavior or nonlinear soil‐structure interaction occurs. A two‐dimensional disk‐based implementation of the DEM is validated using numerical simulations of standard geotechnical laboratory tests, such as one‐dimensional compression, direct simple shear and triaxial tests. These test results indicate that the two‐dimensional DEM can simulate realistic nonlinear, stress history‐dependent soil behavior appropriately when individual particle rotation is inhibited.Modeling of large‐scale problems is accomplished by constructing a reduced‐scale model, then applying the geotechnical centrifuge scaling relationships in order to reduce the number of particles simulated and to ensure stress‐strain‐strength similitude between the model and prototype. Full‐scale simulations, including bearing capacity and lateral earth pressure tests, indicate that the DEM can a...