Three-Dimensional Discrete Element Method of Analysis of Clays

Particles of cohesive soils such as clays are platelike and very small in size (e.g., cuboids of dimensions 1.0 (mu)m×1 (mu)m×0.06 (mu)m). There are not only mechanical interactions between two clay particles, but also physicochemical interactions. Properties such as the stress-strain behavior and shear strength of such a material result from a complex microscopic interactions of particles and interparticle forces. Development of physically meaningful mathematical models requires a microlevel understanding of these interactions. These interactions are difficult to observe experimentally, owing primarily to the minute size of particles. Numerical simulation studies have been conducted in the past, but using two-dimensional idealizations of particles. In the present study, a three-dimensional discrete element method is developed and implemented into a computer program. The method is used to conduct one-dimensional compression of an assembly of particles, and the macroscopic and microscopic results are presented and discussed.