Finite element analysis of large deformation for progressive failure of soil based on Cosserat continuum theory

The large deformation accompanied by strain softening and strain localization of the material is usually encountered in geotechnical engineering. Integrating the RITSS method and the Cosserat continuum theory, a large deformation Cosserat-RITSS finite element method is developed to tackle this issue. Based on the second development interfaces of UEL and SDVINI offered by the finite element software ABAQUS, the Cosserat-RITSS method adopting the MUEM interpolation and mapping method is realized automatically and used to simulate the problem of progressive failure and large deformation characterized by strain localization. The accuracy and effectiveness of the proposed method are verified by the comparison of the small deformation and the large deformation analysis of the penetration process of a rigid strip foundation. Further, the Cosserat-RITSS method is used to analyze the large deformation of a retaining wall resisting on the soil with non-associated plastic flow and strain-softening properties. Compared with the classical RITSS method, it is demonstrated that the proposed method has better performancy of simulating large deformation and overcoming the pathological mesh-dependent problem usually suffered in the classical FEA of large deformation accompanied by strain localization.