Influence of microscopic factors on lateral earth pressure using the discrete element approach
Journal
Civil-Comp Proceedings
Journal Volume
100
ISSN
17593433
ISBN (of the container)
9781905088553
Date Issued
2012
Author(s)
Cheng, C.-C.
Abstract
This study adopted the discrete element method (DEM) to explore the key influencing factors on the variations of lateral earth pressure, including packing type, interior friction angle, particle stiffness and particle size. The reference parameters for the DEM model were retrieved from direct shear tests of a rod assembly. Based on the reference parameters, the evolution of lateral earth pressure is further simulated, and a parametric study was conducted. The results showed that: (1) the analysis model could effectively capture the variation of lateral earth pressure under both active and passive conditions; (2) the greater interior friction angle interior decreased the active coefficient Ka and increased the passive coefficient Kp; (3) increasing particle stiffness decreased the active coefficient Ka and increased the passive coefficient Kp; (4) larger particle sizes led to a larger active coefficient Ka and a smaller passive coefficient Kp; and (5) when the particle assembly was arranged in order, its lateral pressure was much larger than that of the randomly packed assembly. © Civil-Comp Press, 2012.
Event(s)
8th International Conference on Engineering Computational Technology, ECT 2012
Subjects
Discrete element method
Lateral earth pressure
PFC2D
Publisher
Civil-Comp Press
Description
8th International Conference on Engineering Computational Technology, ECT 2012, 4 September 2012 through 7 September 2012, Dubrovnik
Type
conference paper