Behavior of Interfaces between Granular Soil and Structure: A State-of-the-art Review

Abstract

A state-of-the-art review of the behavior of interfaces between granular materials and solid structural components is presented. The review includes both the experimental and theoretical researches on the interfaces between soils and steel, as well as those between soils and concrete. Development of constitutive relations of such interfaces is also summarized. Furthermore, numerical techniques, both the Finite Element Method and the Discrete Element Method (DEM), to simulate the interface behaviors are stated. Aspects for future development in this area are also included.