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Modeling shear behavior of sand-clay interfaces through two-dimensional distinct element method analysis

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Abstract

This study presents a numerical investigation of the shear strength and deformation behaviors of sand-clay interfaces through the distinct element method (DEM). Numerical direct shearing modeling was carried out in PFC2D (particle flow code), considering the effects of the interface geometry, stiffness ratio, friction coefficient, and soil properties. Results indicate that the interface shear strength is greatly mannered by the sample strength and loading conditions. Shear stress curves of samples with smooth interfaces, general stiffness ratio and friction coefficient feature softening behavior that experience peak strengths. The deformation is intensely localized in a narrow shear zone which is below the mid-height of samples. The sample with a sawtooth interface has lower shear strength but more coordination number. With the increase of stiffness ratio, the internal friction angle becomes smaller, and the force chain distribution becomes more uniform. Furthermore, there is an infinitesimally impact from the friction coefficient on the interface shear strength. However, the mesoscopic sliding fraction is greatly affected by the particle friction coefficient. When the bond strength is extremely large, the force chain exhibits uniform dense distribution with central symmetry along the diagonal, corresponding to more coordination number.

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Acknowledgements

The work in this paper was supported by Outstanding Innovation Scholarship for Doctoral Candidate of CUMT (Grant No. 2018BSCXC41).

Funding

This research was supported by Outstanding Innovation Scholarship for Doctoral Candidate of CUMT (Grant No. 2018BSCXC41).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory for Geomechanics and Deep Underground Engineering, School of Mechanics and Civil Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, 221116, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China

    Zhong-Liang Zhang, Zhen-Dong Cui & Ling-Zi Zhao

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  1. Zhong-Liang Zhang
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  2. Zhen-Dong Cui
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  3. Ling-Zi Zhao
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Correspondence to Zhen-Dong Cui.

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Zhang, ZL., Cui, ZD. & Zhao, LZ. Modeling shear behavior of sand-clay interfaces through two-dimensional distinct element method analysis. Environ Earth Sci 81, 140 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-022-10244-9

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