Evaluation of Two Homogenization Techniques for Modeling the Elastic Behavior of Granular Materials

This paper discusses the capabilities of two homogenization techniques to accurately represent the elastic behavior of granular materials considered as assemblies of randomly distributed particles. The stress-strain relationship for the assembly is determined by integrating the behavior of the interparticle contacts in all orientations, using two different homogenization methods, namely the kinematic method and the static method. The numerical predictions obtained by these two homogenization techniques are compared to results obtained during experimental studies on different granular materials. Relations between elastic constants of the assembly, interparticle properties, and fabric parameters are discussed, as well as the capabilities of the models to take into account inherent and stress-induced anisotropy for different stress conditions.