ABSTRACT
This paper present a micro-mechanical study of the dynamic response of unsaturated soils (with a degree of saturation less than about 30%). The discrete element method was used to idealize the soil skeleton. The effects of interparticle water bridges in a pendular state were modeled using suction forces. These forces are a function of water content and interparticle distance, along with other material parameters and characteristics. Numerical simulations were conducted to investigate the impact of moisture content on the sedimentation and response of a level ground deposit when subjected to a dynamic base excitation. The outcome of these simulations provided a valuable insight into the response mechanisms of unsaturated soils.
