Liquefaction and Dynamic Properties of Assemblies with Particles of Spherical and Ellipsoidal Shapes: A Discrete Element Approach

Understanding liquefaction and dynamic response of granular soils from a grain scale level has obtained significant attention during the recent times. Discrete Element method has been adopted to understand the particulate nature, but most of the studies have focused on modeling assemblies with spherical particles. But recent researches have indicated that particle shape is significant in estimating the proper strength and dynamic properties of a soil mass. Hence in this study, a series of cyclic undrained tests are performed on three different assemblies consisting of particles with different aspect ratios. The influence of shape on the cyclic strength, dynamic properties like shear modulus, and damping ratio are investigated and presented. The results show that as the particle shape changes from spheres to ellipsoids, there is considerable change in the strength and the dynamic properties.