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Multiscale characterization and modeling of granular materials through a computational mechanics avatar: a case study with experiment

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Abstract

Through a first-generation computational mechanics avatar that directly links advanced X-ray computed tomographic experimental techniques to a discrete computational model, we present a case study where we made the first attempt to characterize and model the grain-scale response inside the shear band of a real specimen of Caicos ooids subjected to triaxial compression. The avatar has enabled, for the first time, the transition from faithful representation of grain morphologies in X-ray tomograms of granular media to a morphologically accurate discrete computational model. Grain-scale information is extracted and upscaled into a continuum finite element model through a hierarchical multiscale scheme, and the onset and evolution of a persistent shear band is modeled, showing excellent quantitative agreement with experiment in terms of both grain-scale and continuum responses in the post-bifurcation regime. More importantly, consistency in results across characterization, discrete analysis and continuum response from multiscale calculations are found, achieving the first and long sought-after quantitative breakthrough in grain-scale analysis of real granular materials.

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Acknowledgments

This work is partially supported by the NSF CAREER Grant No. 1060087 and the AFOSR YIP Grant No. FA9550-11-1-0052 of the California Institute of Technology. This support is gratefully acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Engineering and Applied Science, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA

    Keng-Wit Lim, Reid Kawamoto & José E. Andrade

  2. 3SR, University of Grenoble Alpes, 38000, Grenoble, France

    Edward Andò & Gioacchino Viggiani

  3. 3SR, CNRS, 38000, Grenoble, France

    Edward Andò & Gioacchino Viggiani

Authors
  1. Keng-Wit Lim
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  2. Reid Kawamoto
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  3. Edward Andò
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  4. Gioacchino Viggiani
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  5. José E. Andrade
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Correspondence to José E. Andrade.

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Lim, KW., Kawamoto, R., Andò, E. et al. Multiscale characterization and modeling of granular materials through a computational mechanics avatar: a case study with experiment. Acta Geotech. 11, 243–253 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-015-0405-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-015-0405-9

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