A fuzzy set plasticity model for cyclic loading of granular soils

Abstract

A constitutive model for describing the stress–strain behavior of granular soils subjected to cyclic loading is presented. The model is formulated using fuzzy set plasticity theory within the classical incremental plasticity theory framework. A special membership function is introduced to provide an analytical and simple geometrical interpretation to formulate hardening, hysteresis feature, material memory, and kinematic mechanisms without resorting to complicated kinematic hardening formulations. The model can accurately describe cyclic loading, dilatancy, material theory and critical state soil mechanics features effects. Two series of cyclic drained triaxial tests data are considered. The characteristic features of behavior in granular soils subjected to cyclic loading are captured.