ABSTRACT
Two-dimensional numerical simulations have been carried out using PFC2D and uniformlygraded rounded particles of different forms, in order to study the influence of particle formon initial packing, and dilation of particulate materials during shear. The effect of particle formon initial packing was investigated using gravity tests. A novel technique was employed to generate homogeneous isotropically compressed assemblies of particles of different forms. Biaxial drained shear test simulations were performed on these ‘specimens’ in order to study the influence of particle form on contraction and dilation. Preliminary results of these simulations indicate that (i) the post-depositional void ratio and anisotropy of packing increases with decreasing particle form, and (ii) dilation decreases with decreasing particle form, and particles that are not equi-dimensional contract.
