Frictional weakening of a granular sheared layer due to viscous rolling revealed by discrete element modeling

Considering a 3D sheared granular layer through a discrete element modeling, it is well known the rolling resistance influences the macro friction coefficient. Even if the rolling resistance role has been deeply investigated previously because it is commonly used to represent the shape and the roughness of the grains, the rolling viscous damping coefficient is still not studied. This parameter is rarely used or only to dissipate the energy and to converge numerically. This paper revisits the physical role of those coefficients with a parametric study of the rolling friction and the rolling damping at different shear speeds and different confinement pressures. It has been observed the damping coefficient induces a frictional weakening. Indeed, competition between the rolling resistance and the rolling damping occurs. Angular resistance aims to avoid grains rolling, decreasing the difference between the angular velocities of grains. Whereas, angular damping acts in the opposite, avoiding a change in the difference between the angular velocities of grains. In consequence, grains stay rolling and the sample toughness decreases. This effect must be considered to not overestimate the frictional response of a granular layer.

Graphic abstract