A model for natural soil with bonds

Abstract

This paper presents a thermodynamically consistent constitutive model for natural soils with bonds. In the model, the free energy (the internal energy available to do work) is contributed partly by the so-called frozen or locked energy, whose evolution is assumed to be homogeneously related to the irrecoverable deformation. During loading, the bonds existing in the natural soil not only boost the dissipation rate but also liberate certain historically accumulated locked energy. Such effects, however, are diminished as loading proceeds and the bonds are destroyed. The novel aspect of the present model is that it accommodates both the Mohr–Coulomb and critical-state failure modes, and the two modes are unified through the evolution law of a thermodynamic force associated with the locked bonding energy. As compared with the classical Cam-clay models, the model contains two additional material constants, where one is proposed by Collins & Kelly to improve the shape of the yield surface, and the other is dedicated to bonding evolution. The calibration procedure for the material parameters is provided. The capability of the model is demonstrated by a series of model simulations on a hypothetical bonded soil under various triaxial loading paths, and the model response is also compared with representative testing results in the literature.