Modelling the cyclic ratcheting of sands through memory-enhanced bounding surface plasticity

Modelling the cyclic ratcheting of sands through memory-enhanced bounding surface plasticity

Liu, H. (TU Delft Geo-engineering)
Abell, J. A. (Universidad de los Andes)
Diambra, A. (University of Bristol)
Pisano, F. (TU Delft Geo-engineering)

2019

The modelling and simulation of cyclic sand ratcheting is tackled by means of a plasticity model formulated within the well-known critical state, bounding surface SANISAND framework. For this purpose, a third locus – termed the ‘memory surface’ – is cast into the constitutive formulation, so as to phenomenologically capture micro-mechanical, fabric-related processes directly relevant to the cyclic response. The predictive capability of the model under numerous loading cycles (‘high-cyclic’ loading) is explored with focus on drained loading conditions, and validated against experimental test results from the literature – including triaxial, simple shear and cyclic loading by oedometer test. The model proves capable of reproducing the transition from ratcheting to shakedown response, in combination with a single set of soil parameters for different initial, boundary and loading conditions. This work contributes to the analysis of soil–structure interaction under high-cyclic loading events, such as those induced by environmental and/or traffic loads.

constitutive relations
numerical modelling
offshore engineering
plasticity
sands
stiffness

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:68b47b23-50d9-4b38-9e8b-40b791958492

https://doi.org/10.1680/jgeot.17.P.307

2019-10-10

0016-8505

Geotechnique: international journal of soil mechanics, 69 (9), 783-800

Accepted Author Manuscript

Institutional Repository

journal article

© 2019 H. Liu, J. A. Abell, A. Diambra, F. Pisano