Abstract
In this paper, the Discrete Element Method is used to study the effect of capillary forces, in equilibrium with the ambient relative humidity, on the response of irregular arrangements of equal-sized spheres, simulating a fine uniformly graded quartz sand. The effect on the isotropic compression was investigated by applying an increase in total stress under constant relative humidity (wet and dry) and drying under different constant total stress values. The effect of the capillary forces on the shear strength was evidenced by the simulation of the instability of a cylindrical sand column due to drying.
Highlights
The Discrete Element Method (DEM) is a very convenient computational tool to study the micromechanical effects of capillary forces on soils
The isotropic compression behaviour of sand in different wetting conditions and the crumbling of a drying initially wet sand column is modelled with the DEM
A different aspect of the action of capillary forces can be illustrated by their influence in the increase of the shear strength, such that it is able to sustain a vertical sand column
Summary
The Discrete Element Method (DEM) is a very convenient computational tool to study the micromechanical (particle level) effects of capillary forces on soils. The capillary inter-particles forces due to water menisci that form at the contact points, including their dependence on relative humidity (RH), can be applied to the modelled soil particles and the effect of their variation on soil response analysed.
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