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DEM simulation of liquefaction for cohesionless media at grain scale

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Abstract

Simulations of undrained tests were performed in a periodic cell using three dimensional (3D) discrete element method (DEM) program TRUBAL. The effective undrained stress paths are shown to be qualitatively similar to published physical experimental results of cohesionless media such as sand. Liquefaction and temporary liquefaction are observed for very loose samples and medium loose samples, respectively. A new micromechanical parameter is proposed to identify whether liquefaction or temporary liquefaction occurs in terms of a redundancy factor. The relationship of redundancy factor and average coordination number is derived theoretically. It is demonstrated that the phase transition dividing the solid-like behaviour and liquid-like behaviour is associated with a redundancy factor of 1, which corresponds to an average coordination number slightly above 4.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Civil and Environmental Engineering, Graduate School in Shenzhen, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China

    Guo-bin Gong  (龚国斌) & Xiao-xiong Zha  (查晓雄)

Authors
  1. Guo-bin Gong  (龚国斌)
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  2. Xiao-xiong Zha  (查晓雄)
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Guo-bin Gong  (龚国斌).

Additional information

Foundation item: Project(GR/R91588) supported by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, UK

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Gong, Gb., Zha, Xx. DEM simulation of liquefaction for cohesionless media at grain scale. J. Cent. South Univ. 19, 2643–2649 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11771-012-1322-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11771-012-1322-9

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