Predicting sand behaviour using a state parameter model

Abstract

In this paper a comparison between predicted and experimental stress-strain behaviour and volumetric strains of sand are studied using a simple constitutive model. The model used a state parameter, that combines the influence of density and stress level with reference to a steady state; a hyperbolic hardening rule for representing the global stress-strain behaviour and finally a link between volumetric and deviatoric plastic strain increments through a simple dilatancy rule. The calibration and the comparison of the simulations with experimental results show that the model is sufficient to reproduce with a very good accuracy the drained behaviour of sand over a wide range of density and confining pressure using simple variations o.fmodel constants.