Interparticle forces distribution in granular materials: link with the macroscopic behaviour

Abstract

This paper addresses the modelling of the incremental behaviour of an idealized granular material and its link with the distribution of contact forces within the representative volume. Based on the results obtained from a series of numerical DEM experiments, a discussion of the different operations used in a micro mechanical modelling framework is proposed. First, the relevance of the usual description of the contact forces distribution through its average value for a given contact orientation is evaluated. Next, this description is implemented in a complete homogenization process. The derived stress–strain relationship acceptably predicts the anisotropic elastic properties of the material provided that the particles do not rotate but fails to if this constraint is removed. Therefore, in the last section, a more refined description of the contact forces distribution is invoked, considering the actual scatter from the average values through the standard deviation. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.