Numerical investigation of the fast shear behaviour of granular materials and its significance for rapid landslides

Abstract

The shear behaviour of granular materials at high velocities is crucial for understanding the high mobility of rapid landslides and the low-friction mechanisms behind them. Here, a numerical ring shear model driven by granular shear platens was developed, and this model was validated in terms of the kinematics and mechanics of the granular material. The granular material was then accelerated at different accelerations to high shear velocities (ranging from 0.001 m/s to a maximum of 5.0 m/s). The results indicate that with increasing shear velocity, the shear behaviour of granular materials transitions from a single behaviour to a composite behaviour. The composite shear behaviour is important for both the shear flow state and the frictional characteristics. The velocity profile reveals the transition of granular materials from uniform shear flow to composite shear flow consisting of locally high-shear-rate layers and slow creep layers; the volume of granular materials transitions from global expansion at the onset of shearing to local expansion; and particle velocity fluctuations and contact force fluctuations change from being uniformly distributed and relatively small at the beginning of shearing to rapid growth in local areas. Furthermore, with increasing shear velocity, the frictional characteristics become nonuniform. Local areas exhibit positive velocity-related friction effects, whereas the friction of the particles in other regions slightly decreases. Particle fluctuations represent an important factor that leads to the composite shear behaviour of granular materials. This study provides valuable insights into the shear behaviour of particles in rapid landslides.