DEM investigation on sandy soil behaviors under the influence of particle shape

Abstract

The mechanical properties of sandy soil, a prevalent material in engineering construction, are affected by several factors, including the particle shape. This study utilized a rigid block unit for particle simulation and established specimens reflecting the real particle appearance based on μCT scanning geometry. Four simple particle types with varying roundness were designed according to the roundness definition, and corresponding numerical test models were developed. These models were employed to examine the effect of particle roundness on the macroscopic mechanical properties of sandy soil using triaxial shearing simulation tests, disregarding other shape parameters. The results demonstrate that particle roundness significantly affects the mechanical properties of sandy soil. Within a roundness range of [0,1], samples with varying particle roundness displayed different deviatoric stress–strain curves. As the roundness increases, the peak deviatoric stress decreases, and both the cohesive strength and friction angle of the samples reduce.