Simulating Plane Strain Tests of Sand Specimen Reinforced with H-V Orthogonal Inclusions by PFC

Abstract

Soil reinforced with horizontal-vertical (H-V) orthogonal inclusions is a new concept of reinforced soil. In the H-V reinforced soil, besides the traditional horizontal reinforcements, vertical reinforced elements are also placed on the horizontal ones in spacing. When the soil structure reinforced with H-V inclusions is subjected to load, besides the frictional resistances between soil and the horizontal inclusions, passive resistances in the soil enclosed within the H-V reinforcing elements will be provided. Passive resistances and frictional ones not only strengthen the reinforced soil, but also restrict the deformation of the soil, and then increase the strength and stability greatly. The H-V inclusions influenced the movement of the soil particles and changed the shear band of the reinforced soil. A series of plane strain tests of sand specimen reinforced with H-V orthogonal inclusions were carried out. Particle Flow Code (PFC), based on the discrete element theory, was introduced to simulate the plane strain tests of H-V reinforced sand. The macro stressstrain relation of sand was reproduced and verified by PFC model. The occurrence and propagation of shear band was analyzed by the confining pressure-time history, and the displacement and movement of the soil particles of PFC model. The effect of configuration of H-V inclusions, stiffness and position of the reinforcements, particle size on the formation and extension process of the shear band were discussed. The comparison between the results from plane strain tests of sand specimen reinforced with H-V orthogonal inclusions and the ones by PFC shows the PFC model can simulate the propagation of shear band and failure of the sand specimen reinforced with H-V orthogonal inclusions accurately.