ABSTRACT
By a novel approach, this paper simulates the mechanical behaviors of clays under constant stress ratio compression tests using three-dimensional Discrete Element Method (DEM), and different cement contents and principal stress ratios ( https://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"> C S R = σ 3 / σ 1 https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9781003299127/53799ffb-eaec-46d3-80fb-f8d3f08a0bab/content/inline-math41_1.tif"/> ) are included. The DEM remolded/structured clay sample is generated using spheres of a certain grade, which characterize an assembly of bonded/unbonded clusters of the highest level, and the cluster crushing is further employed to simulate the structural degradation and gradual deformation of clays. The simulation results qualitatively agree with available experimental observations. As the CSR increases, the deviator strain decreases while the structural yield stress increases generally on the macro scale; and the fabric anisotropy of total contact normal and ratios of inter-cluster bond breakage and cluster crushing all decline, and the contact force chains tend to be more uniformly distributed on the micro scale. The structural yield surface enlarges with the increasing cement content.
