Discrete element simulation of the direct shear test of sandy soil

Abstract

The direct shear test of sandy soil was conducted by Discrete Element Method (DEM) to discuss the influence of shear box shapes to the shear properties. The soil particles were represented by spheres with different sizes, and the contact force between particles was calculated by linear contact model and the adhesive interaction was controlled by parallel bond model (PBM). To guarantee the rationality of parameters, the shearing strength under four different loads were contrasted with the results of experimental tests. Meanwhile the volumetric variation of assemblies during shear process were also studied in this article.