Sand–rubber mixtures: Experiments and numerical simulations

Abstract

This paper documents the results of laboratory experiments and numerical simulations conducted to examine the behavior of mixtures composed of rubber and sand particles of similar size. Emphasis was placed on assessing the role of loading type on the load-deformation behavior and selecting appropriate parameters for the discrete element modeling of sand–rubber, with relevance to the use of compressible particulate systems for filtration control. Experimental results show that sand–rubber exhibits load–unload hysteresis and residual strains post-unloading due to particle–particle and particle–wall locking effects that arise from sidewall friction. It is shown that the discrete element modeling of sand–rubber requires unconventional schemes because of the stiffness contrast between sand grains and rubber grains. The results have implications in the design of compressible particulate systems for seepage and filtration control and in the development of prediction tools for the field performance soil–rubber, which is finding increased usage in geotechnical and civil engineering infrastructures.