The Influence of Rolling Resistance on Granular Responses Under Triaxial Loading Paths

Abstract

Particle shape is one of influence factors of granular materials’ mechanical behaviours. As the realistic consideration of particle shapes may include some computational challenges, the rolling friction is often employed to simulate the rolling resistance induced by the particle shape. This paper investigates the macro- and microscopic properties of granular materials with different rolling resistant characteristics under triaxial loading paths. For discrete element method (DEM) simulations, the rolling friction is considered in the contact model. The drained triaxial compression loading path and the proportional strain loading path are considered. Both the loading paths show that the rolling resistance will reinforce the sample’s strength and lead to a more significant dilatancy. Besides the macroscopic responses, microscopic properties are explored and discussed. The strong anisotropy and great contact forces may be the underlying mechanisms of the high shear strength of the sample with the rolling resistance.