Abstract

This paper studies the shear behavior of granular materials by using a three-dimensional (3D) discrete element method (DEM) simulation of the triaxial test. The experimental triaxial tests were conducted on glass beads samples for verification. DEM simulations of the triaxial test were carried out in the membrane boundary condition consisting of 37,989 membrane particles. A new method that divides the irregular sample shape into two parts of cones and parts of three-dimensional simplexes is used to follow the volume change of irregular deformation of samples. The free rotatable upper platen is considered during the shearing process, which influences the shear behavior of samples especially in the residual stage and formations of a single shear band or X-shape shear band. The confining pressures have been demonstrated to influence the rotation angle and angular velocity of the upper platen. Moreover, the timing of replacing a rigid wall boundary condition with the membrane boundary condition is investigated, which affects the porosity of samples before shearing and the mechanical strength. The DEM model in the membrane boundary condition reflects well the evolution of irregular sample deformation and shear band in the shearing process. From the perspective of micro structures, the normal force decreases and the tangential stress increases during the shearing stage. This study greatly improves the accuracy of DEM simulations of the triaxial test in the membrane boundary condition.

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