Role of particle shape in sheared granular media: Roundness and elongation

Abstract

Particle shape is an intrinsic characteristic of soil particles that significantly influences mechanical responses. In this investigation, a meticulously calibrated and validated two-dimensional discrete element method (DEM) model of a biaxial shearing test was employed to simulate the shearing response of forty distinct particle shapes. The systematic evolution of particle roundness (R) and aspect ratio (AR) was achieved by utilizing idealized polygonal-shaped particles, aiming to comprehend their effects on the macro and micromechanical behaviors of granular materials. The results suggest that a reduction in R limits free rotations and enhances interlocking, thereby promoting relatively stable force transmission between particles and leading to a monotonic increase in shear strength. However, this effect diminishes as particles become more elongated. Conversely, a decrease in AR from 1.0 (increased elongation) constrains particle rotations, increases the coordination number, and enhances fabric anisotropy initially resulting in increased overall shear strength, reaching a maximum before exhibiting a decreasing trend, indicative of non-monotonic variation. For high elongations, notable fabric anisotropy impedes clear force transmission between particles thus facilitating interparticle sliding and overall strength diminishes. The extent to which AR impacts depends on the angularity feature of particles. Finally, a nonlinear equation has been proposed to predict the variation in critical state shear strength of granular samples, based on the R and AR values of the constituent particles.