Cohesive zones to model bonding in granular material with the material point method

Abstract

Modeling the behavior of granular materials was one of the first applications of the Material Point Method due in large part to the method’s ability to treat contact between bodies. Here, we further demonstrate that capability, and extend it to include inter-granular bonding. Bonds between grains in contact are represented using cohesive zones. The specifics of this approach are described and example calculations are carried out in two and three dimensions to demonstrate the capability. We demonstrate the ability to influence both the stiffness and strength of bonded granular materials.