Numerical modelling of laboratory soil desiccation cracking using UDEC with a mix-mode cohesive fracture model

This paper presents the application of the hybrid continuum-discrete element method, i.e. Universal Distinct Element Code (UDEC), to simulate soil desiccation shrinkage and cracking. Herein, soil is modelled using a mix-mode cohesive fracture model that combines tension, compression and shear materi...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Engineering geology 2016-03, Vol.202, p.14-23
Main Authors: Gui, Y.L., Zhao, Z.Y., Kodikara, J., Bui, Ha H., Yang, S.Q.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cohesion
Computer simulation
Cracking (fracturing)
Displacement
Elastic–plastic-damage
Fracture mechanics
Mathematical models
Mix-mode cohesive fracture model
Shear strength
Soil (material)
Soil desiccation cracking
UDEC
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:This paper presents the application of the hybrid continuum-discrete element method, i.e. Universal Distinct Element Code (UDEC), to simulate soil desiccation shrinkage and cracking. Herein, soil is modelled using a mix-mode cohesive fracture model that combines tension, compression and shear material behaviour. The fracture model considers both elastic and inelastic (decomposed to fracture and plastic) displacement, with the norm of the effective inelastic displacement being used to control the fracture behaviour. The applicability and capability of the proposed approach is demonstrated through numerical simulations of laboratory linearly-constrained desiccation test. Good agreements with the laboratory observations have been obtained. The dominant influencing factors on soil desiccation cracking have been assessed, several factors including shear strength and tensile strength of soil-base, and soil sample thickness were identified to have a significant controlling influence on desiccation cracking. •A mixed-mode cohesive fracture model for laboratory soil desiccation simulation•Correlate the micro-parameter to macro-parameter•Investigate the desiccation cracking influential factors•The cohesive fracture model has potential application to field soil desiccation.
ISSN:0013-7952
1872-6917
DOI:10.1016/j.enggeo.2015.12.028