Micromechanical behaviour in shearing of reproduced flat LBS grains with strong and weak artificial bonds

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23 Scopus Citations
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Author(s)

Detail(s)

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1355–1376
Journal / PublicationActa Geotechnica
Volume16
Issue number5
Online published9 Nov 2020
Publication statusPublished - May 2021

Abstract

The shearing behaviour of reproduced flat LBS grains artificially bonded with ordinary Portland cement (OPC) and plaster of Paris (PP) was examined using micromechanical experiments. Monotonic shearing tests showed a distinct variation in the load–displacement relationship at low, medium and high normal loads, and a nonlinear shear strength envelope was proposed. For OPC-bonded sand grains, a brittle–ductile transition at 20–30 N normal load was observed and three breakage mechanisms in shearing (chipping, shear cracks and crushing) were distinguished in accordance with the changes in the load–displacement curves. OPC-bonded sands showed a predominant dilation at lower normal loads, whereas PP-bonded sands were highly compressive. Based on previously published works using element-scale tests, a new mechanism for dilation under micromechanical testing was proposed in the study. Cyclic shearing tests were conducted on OPC-bonded sands, and the effects of increased displacement amplitude and normal load were highlighted.

Research Area(s)

  • Artificial bonding, Cemented sands, Dilation, Micromechanics, Nonlinear strength