3D DEM simulation of initial anisotropy in dredger fill soft soil

Abstract

The initial anisotropy has a significant effect on the mechanical properties of the soft soil. Based on the initial anisotropy of the particles, the mechanical characteristics are analysed from a microscopic view, and the micro-macro relationship of the soil is established. According to the particle morphology of soft soil, the discrete element method is used to construct the flaky particle clusters, and seven sets of samples with different initial deposition angles are established for consolidation and undrained triaxial simulation tests. The results show that the strength of the sample decreases first and then increases with the increase of the deposition angle. When the deposition angle is 0°, the flaky particles mostly appear in a nearly horizontal suspension, and the sample has the largest shear strength. The distribution of the contact force chain formed by the particles in the shearing process is also related to the deposition angle. Different deposition angles form displacement fields of different shapes. When the deposition angles are 45° and 60°, there are obvious deformation displacement bands. At the same time, the initial deposition angle affects the particle coordination number. The higher the sample strength corresponding to the lowest average coordination number of particles. The contact normal anisotropy coefficient is related to the strain hardening and strain softening characteristics in the shearing process. The increase in the contact normal anisotropy coefficient shows the characteristics of hardening, and the smaller the contact normal anisotropy coefficient shows the characteristics of softening.