Microstructural analysis and multiscale modeling for stiffening and strengthening of consolidated earthen-site soils

Abstract

While experimental explorations to consolidate earthen-site soils using composite materials have obtained desirable reinforcing effect, few modeling efforts were conducted to reveal how microstructures of consolidated soils affect their effective stiffness and strength. The current study develops a multiscale modeling technique to quantify the stiffening and strengthening effects of consolidants to earthen-site soils. Specifically, a micromechanics-based finite element method is applied to simulate the homogenized constitutive relations of the untreated and consolidated soils, based on the microstructures from scanning electron microscopy images and image-processing procedures. Multiscale models are used to examine the influence of input properties of consolidants on the sensitivity of mechanical properties of the earthen-site samples. Comparison between modeling and experimental results shows a satisfactory agreement. The macroscopic mechanical properties of soils are remarkably affected by their microstructures. This study demonstrates the feasibility of integrating scanning electron microscopy and image processing technology into the finite-element modeling for stiffening and strengthening analysis of consolidated earthen-site soils.