Stress-path dependency of resilient behaviour of granular materials

Abstract

This paper describes an experimental study that was completed to investigate the resilient constitutive characteristics of a granular limestone, as well as to assess the applicability of conventional modelling within the framework of elasticity theory for the material that was studied. Test results corresponding to various stress paths are reported for a well-graded, sub-angular coarse sand. Noticeable differences are found with regard to the measured deformation responses when compared with those from linear elastic model predictions. On the basis of studying the stress–strain responses in terms of invariants, the authors conclude that the difference in the resilient responses of the material for various stress paths is largely due to the inherent nonlinear anisotropic nature of the material, and that stress-induced fabric associated with, for example, rearrangement of particles and particle connectivity should be taken into account for better interpretation of resilient behaviour of granular soil.

Keywords::

• finite element method
• modelling
• geomechanics
• pavements
• granular base

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada for its support of this project. The assistance of the Centre for Effective Design of Structures, McMaster University, is also appreciated.