Abstract
Particle Size Distribution (PSD) is one of the prime guiding factors of granular media response. Degradation via weathering is a process, which brings about a gradual shift in the PSD. In nature, chemically sensitive material like calcite undergoes chemo-mechanical degradation bringing about variations in their behaviour. In the present study, an experimental investigation is carried out to get insight into the mechanical response during the coupled chemo-mechanical process. The experiments were carried out at two different rates of dissolutions in a custom made 1D compression mould. From the experiments, it is clear that the higher rate of dissolution reduces the lateral earth pressure more than the lower rate. Discrete Element Method (DEM) analyses the micromechanical process behind the observed response from experiments. The results showed a reduction in lateral stress as soon as the dissolution starts. DEM analysis confirms the competing mechanism between grain size reduction and grain rearrangement as the guiding element for the granular media response.
Highlights
Particle Size Distribution (PSD) controls both volumetric [1,2] and the stress response [3] of granular materials
PSD variation under mechanical load alone has been in focus through grain breakage studies [4,5,6]
Researches have shown a reduction of lateral stress, and a subsequent regain of the same for a mixture of inert geomaterial with an active salt under mechanical loading under the continuous dissolution of salts [9,10]
Summary
PSD controls both volumetric [1,2] and the stress response [3] of granular materials. PSD variation under mechanical load alone has been in focus through grain breakage studies [4,5,6]. Another factor for PSD variation is the dissolution of particles. Dissolution of bonded geomaterial under Chemo-mechanical loading shows softening of the material [7]. The impact of such chemomechanics on pure granular material is somewhat less explored [8]. The chemo-mechanics of granular material is explored in detail with the help of DEM
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