A random virtual crack DEM model for creep behavior of rockfill based on the subcritical crack propagation theory

Abstract

The post-construction settlement of rockfill dams and high filled ground of airport, which is a phenomenon of much significance, is mainly caused by the time-dependent breakage of the rockfill material. In this paper, a random virtual crack DEM model is proposed for creep behavior of rockfill in PFC2D according to the theory of subcritical crack propagation induced by stress corrosion mechanisms. The bonded clusters are adopted to represent the rockfill particles so as to simulate their irregular shapes. Virtual cracks are set at the bonds of the clusters, and the length of the crack is considered as a random value, which leads the crushing strength of a single particle to follow the Weibull’s statistical model and the corresponding size rules. Oedometric creep tests for rockfill are simulated by using this proposed model. The results show that the model, validated preliminarily by some test data, can reflect qualitatively the creep mechanism as well as the size effects reasonably. Particles can develop various breakage patterns during creep, including global breakage, local breakage and even complex mixed breakage. The increase in stress levels and particle size will lead to an obvious growth of the creep strain and creep rate of the rockfill. The scale effects on the creep behavior of rockfill are analyzed through 35 specimens, and formulas including the effects of scales and stress levels are tentatively proposed.