Stochastic Structural Model of Rock and Soil Aggregates by Continuum-Based Discrete Element Method

This paper first presents a stochastic structural model to describe the random geometrical features of rock and soil aggregates. The stochastic structural model uses mixture ratio, rock size and rock shape to construct the microstructures of aggregates,and introduces two types of structural elements (block element and jointed element) and three types of material elements (rock element, soil element, and weaker jointed element)for this microstructure. Then, continuum-based discrete element method is used to study the deformation and failure mechanism of rock and soil aggregate through a series of loading tests. It is found that the stress-strain curve of rock and soil aggregates is nonlinear, and the failure is usually initialized from weaker jointed elements. Finally, some factors such as mixture ratio, rock size and rock shape are studied in detail. The numerical results are in good agreement with in situ test. Therefore, current model is effective for simulating the mechanical behaviors of rock and soil aggregates.

Embedded cell model of three-dimensional two-phase composites

An embedded cell model is presented to obtain the effective elastic moduli and the elastic-plastic stress-strain relations of three-dimensional two-phase particulate composites. Each cell consists of an ellipsoidal inclusion surrounded by a finite ellipsoidal matrix that embedded in an infinite matrix. When both matrix and particle are elastic, the effective elastic moduli are derived which is an exact analytic formula without any simplified approximation that can be expressed in an explicit form. Further, the elastic-plastic stress-strain relations are obtained for spherical cells and oblate spheroid cells, in which the matrix is elastic and the particle is elastic-plastic. In addition, the macroscopic elastic-plastic constitutive relation of particle reinforced composites (PRC) is investigated by a systematic approach [1] in which the matrix is elastic-plastic and the particle is elastic.

Generalized Maugis-Dugdale Model of an Elastic Cylinder in Non-Slipping Adhesive Contact with a Stretched Substrate

We have recently developed a generalized JKR model for non-slipping adhesive contact between an elastic cylinder and a stretched substrate where both tangential and normal tractions are transmitted across the contact interface. Here we extend this model to a generalized Maugis-Dugdale model by adopting a Dugdale-type adhesive interaction law to eliminate the stress singularity near the edge of the contact zone. The non-slipping Maugis-Dugdale model is expected to have a broader range of validity in comparison with the non-slipping JKR model. The solution shares a number of common features with experimentally observed behaviors of cell reorientation on a cyclically stretched substrate.

Two-Dimensional Kinematic Wave Model of Overland-Flow

A two-dimensional kinematic wave model was developed for simulating runoff generation and flow concentration on an experimental infiltrating hillslope receiving artificial rainfall. Experimental observations on runoff generation and flow concentration on irregular hillslopes showed that the topography of the slope surface controlled the direction and flow lines of overland flow. The model-simulated results satisfactorily compared with experimental observations. The erosive ability of the concentrated flow was found to mainly depend on the ratio of the width and depth of confluent grooves.

Equivalent Model Of Expansion Of Cement Mortar Under Sulphate Erosion

The expansion property of cement mortar under the attack of sulfate ions is studied by experimental and theoretical methods. First, cement mortars are fabricated with the ratio of water to cement of 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8. Secondly, the expansion of specimen immerged in sulphate solution is measured at different times. Thirdly, a theoretical model of expansion of cement mortar under sulphate erosion is suggested by virtue of represent volume element method. In this model, the damage evolution due to the interaction between delayed ettringite and cement mortar is taken into account. Finally, the numerical calculation is performed. The numerical and experimental results indicate that the model perfectly describes the expansion of the cement mortar.

Threshold diversity and trans-scales sensitivity in a finite nonlinear evolution model of materials failure

We present a slice-sampling method and study the ensemble evolution of a large finite nonlinear system in order to model materials failure. There is a transitional region of failure probability. Its size effect is expressed by a slowly decaying scaling law. In a meso-macroscopic range (similar to 10(5)) in realistic failure, the diversity cannot be ignored. Sensitivity to mesoscopic details governs the phenomena. (C) 1997 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.