Finite element/percolation theory modelling of the micromechanical behavior of clayey soils.

M Luz Pérez-Rea,Victor M Castaño,Jaime Horta-Rangel,Teresa López-Lara,Juan B Hernández-Zaragoza,Sergio M Alcocer

doi:10.1186/s40064-015-0887-9

M Luz Pérez-Rea, Victor M Castaño + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s40064-015-0887-9

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Abstract

A hybrid model for soils, which combines percolation theory and finite element method is presented. The internal soil structure is modelled via the finite element method, and percolation networks are used for analyzing its mechanical behaviour. Through a microscopic characterization of elastic properties of soil grains, the model is generated. The effective percolation threshold obtained is lower than that of the network geometric percolation. The effective mechanical properties predicted are successfully compared to published experimental results.

Highlights

In civil engineering practice, building foundations design involves the best-possible estimation of the effective mechanical properties, such as soil modulus of elasticity and Poisson ratio, for predicting the final building settlements
The grain size distribution was omitted in these models; characterizations at microscopic levels were made to determine the mean grain size (TMG) for modeling regular nets
Deformed rectangular and hexagonal nets after finite element method (FEM) analysis with vertical load application are shown in Figures 1 and 2, respectively

Summary

Introduction

In civil engineering practice, building foundations design involves the best-possible estimation of the effective mechanical properties, such as soil modulus of elasticity and Poisson ratio, for predicting the final building settlements. At the microstructure level, flow occurs through macropores and medium-size features may be unimportant. Meso- and micro-pores flow involves intermolecular forces rising from a particular geometry or from electronic properties of the medium or fluid (Knutson andSelker 1994; Hsu and Masten 2001; McNamara and Luthy 2005; Guo and Chorover 2006). As other conductive properties of porous materials, becomes dependent of the nature of the components, geometric layout and internal conductivity. In this context, physisorption is a general phenomenon that occurs whenever an adsorptive liquid or gas is brought into contact with the surface of a solid (the adsorbent), involving forces

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