Stress-strain analysis of a three dimensional loose array of elastic equiradii spheres

Abstract

A stress-strain analysis was performed on a three dimensional loose array of elastic equiradii spheres subjected to triaxial and one dimensional compression conditions. A review is presented of available information which was gained from literature relating the application of particulate mechanics to arrays of elastic equiradii spheres. The principles and equations of particulate mechanics were applied to the loose array and deformation equations were developed to explain both vertical and horizontal movement. The strains both vertically and horizontally were determined as the vertical stress was incremented. A parametric study was conducted to determine the effect of particle parameters on the deformation characteristics of the array of spheres. The results of the parametric study were analyzed, and the families of stress-strain curves compared to actual stress-strain curves of real granular soils. The theoretical data varied somewhat from actual data, and an attempt was made to explain why these differences were incurred.