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The Discrete Element Method was first introduced by Cundall and Strack (1979) to model granular soils within the context of geotechnical engineering. The material is modeled as a random assembly of discrete elements. Each particle interacts with neighboring particles through contact forces that can be built up and broken at any time. The particles were modeled as discs in 2-D or as spheres in 3-D. Research studies have been conducted to improve the simulation of actual grain shapes. Ashmawy et al. (2003) developed the overlapping rigid clusters (ORC) method to accurately model irregular particle shapes. The idea relies on clumping a number of overlapping discs such that their coincides with that of the actual particle. In this dissertation, experimental verification program is presented. An experimental setup was built and model-grains were manufactured in the laboratory. A numerical simulation for the experimental test was carried out. The numerical and experimental results were compared qualitatively and quantitatively. A good agreement was observed within small displacements ranges. However, results were considerably different at large displacements. Numerical results utilizing the ORC method were closer to the experimental results than those of discs. A sequential and operator-independent procedure, which relies on the ORC concept, was developed. Identical inertial properties between the actual particle and the model were ensured. The new procedure was implemented for rounded and angular particles. The effect of particle shape and angularity on the strength and dilatancy characteristics of granular soils was investigated. A modified shape factor, which relies on the work introduced by Sukumaran and Ashmawy (2001), was developed. A series of pure shear testing simulations was performed on different shape and angularity particle groups. Angularity had a remarkable effect on strength and dilatancy properties compared to shape. The effect of interparticle friction on dilatancy was studied. An attempt was made to use an equivalent interparticle friction to model different particle shapes. It was concluded that there is no one-to-one equivalency between interparticle friction and shape or angularity. Instead, the interparticle friction must be continuously altered as a function of confining pressure and void ratio to achieve the required effect.

Se ha llevado a cabo:A) Un estudio de las propiedades básicas del suelo no saturado (tipo limo) a escala microestructural, incluyendo esqueleto sólido, fase liquida y fase gaseosa. B) Elaboración de un modelo conceptual discontinuo de comportamiento. La geometría interna esta construida por partículas, agua retenida en forma de meniscos alrededor de los contactos y aire ocupando los restantes poros. La interfase liquido gas esta gobernada por la succión y la tensión superficial. Los meniscos tienen un efecto rigidizador del esqueleto.Se observa la posible redistribución de la humedad y del aire, quedando acoplados en definitiva los aspectos mecánicos y de flujo.C) En base a lo anterior, implementación de un modelo numérico discontinuo de ensayo de comportamiento basado en ordenador. Se ha adaptado y modificado el D.E.M. de P.A. Cundall (diferencias finitas explicitas en el tiempo), indicado en el caso que se trata, con no-linealidades geométricas. Se han desarrollado importantes algoritmos de control geométrico. D) Verificación parcial del modelo y aplicación a casos típicos en suelo no saturado, especialmente el colapso.En conjunto es una herramienta útil para su estudio y permite apreciar algunos interesantes mecanismos de actuación de la succión a escala microscópica.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T14:48:11Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 LarissaDB_DISSERT.pdf: 3842498 bytes, checksum: e8657330e1607f44d84347d7099efb65 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-02-27 / Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de N?vel Superior / This work presents results of field and laboratory tests using a Dynamic Cone Penetrometer, DCP. The tests were performed in order to evaluate the use of the equipment in sand for the control of bearing capacity of shallow foundations and fill compaction. For shallow foundations, the laboratory tests were conducted on sand placed in a metallic mould by the method of sand pluviation. Although the results show the inability to reproduce field conditions in the laboratory it was possible to verify the ability of the DCP to identify less resistant soil layers. The DCP tests for the analysis of compaction control were performed in a strong box with inside dimensions of 1,40 m x 1,40 m and 0,70 m in height. The soil layers were compacted with different densities though the use of a vibrating plate in order to obtain correlations between penetration index, DPI, and soil relative density. Other tests were also conducted to assess the influence of soil moisture on tests results. Among other findings, the results showed the great potential for the use of DCP to control the compaction of sand fills / Este trabalho apresenta resultados de ensaios com um penetr?metro din?mico de cone, DCP, realizados em campo e em laborat?rio. Os ensaios foram realizados com o objetivo de avaliar o uso do equipamento em areias para o controle da capacidade de carga em funda??es diretas e da compacta??o de aterros. No caso da an?lise de funda??es diretas, os ensaios em laborat?rio foram realizados com o solo preparado em um cilindro met?lico atrav?s do m?todo da chuva de areia. Na execu??o de funda??es diretas apesar dos resultados mostrarem a impossibilidade de reproduzir em laborat?rio as condi??es de campo verificou-se a possibilidade do uso do DCP para a detec??o de camadas de solo menos resistentes. Os ensaios penetrom?tricos para controle de compacta??o foram conduzidos numa caixa de ensaios com 1,40 x 1,40 m de base e 0,70 m de altura. A areia foi preparada na caixa com diferentes compacidades utilizando-se uma placa vibrat?ria para a obten??o de correla??es entre o valor do ?ndice de penetra??o din?mica do penetr?metro, DPI, e a densidade relativa do solo. Alguns ensaios tamb?m foram realizados com o intuito de avaliar a influ?ncia do teor de umidade no valor do DPI. Entre outras conclus?es, os resultados mostraram o grande potencial de uso do DCP no controle da compacta??o de aterros com areia

A técnica de solo cimento se apresenta como uma ferramenta eficaz no melhoramento de distintos solos, adequando-os às necessidades da engenharia geotécnica. Tal tratamento do solo se aplica, por exemplo, na construção de bases para plataformas rodo-ferroviárias, camada de suporte para fundações superficiais, na prevenção da liquefação de solos granulares em condições fofas, no encapsulamento de solos contaminados e como barreiras de contenção de contaminação. Dessa forma, o presente estudo visa quantificar a influência da quantidade do cimento e da porosidade em relação ao comportamento mecânico das misturas de solos granulares com cimento. Assim, ensaios de resistência à compressão simples, resistência à compressão diametral, ensaios com bender elements e ensaios triaxiais foram realizados com o objetivo de obter uma metodologia de dosagem de solos granulares com adição de cimento. Para tal, foram utilizados um solo artificial areno-pedregulhoso, um solo arenoso grosso de origem granítica, um solo arenoso fino de origem basáltica, um solo arenoso fino de origem granítica e por último, uma areia fina uniforme, estes últimos três materiais com granulometria semelhante, mas com mineralogia e formato de grãos distintos. Em todos os ensaios foram utilizados cimento Portland CP–V (alta resistência inicial), como agente cimentante e água destilada. Corpos de prova cilíndricos foram moldados com distintos teores de cimento e porosidade. Os ensaios de resistência foram realizados após 7 dias de cura em ambiente com temperatura e umidade controlada. E os ensaios com bender elements foram realizados ao longo do tempo de cura, até 7 dias. Por último foi realizada a análise e comparação de todos os dados obtidos juntamente com outros materiais já estudados, no intuito de aprimorar o entendimento da técnica e da metodologia de dosagem de solo cimento. / The soil cement technique itself is an effective tool in the improvement of different soils, adapting them to the needs of geotechnical engineering. Such treatment of the soils might be used in the construction of road subgrades, railway platform subgrades, support layers for shallow foundations, in the encapsulation of contaminated soils in liquefaction prevention of loose granular soils and in barriers for containment of contamination. Thus, this study aimed at measuring the influence of the amount of cement and porosity on the mechanical behavior of granular soils – cement mixtures. Thus, unconfined compression, Brazilian tensile, bender elements and triaxial tests were carried out in order to obtain a dosage methodology for granular soils treated with cement. To this end, an artificial sand-gravel soil, a fine sand soil of basaltic origin, a fine sand soil of granitic origin and lastly, a coarse sandy soil, also of granitic origin were used. Early strength Portland cement was used as cementing agent, as well as distilled water. Cylindrical specimens were cast with different levels of cement and porosity. Strength tests were performed after 7 days curing in an environment with controlled temperature and humidity. Assays were performed using bender elements throughout the curing time, up to 7 days. Finally, a full analysis was performed using data obtained in present work, together with results of other granular soils treated with cement obtained through a literature review, in order to improve understanding of soil cement technique and enhance a dosage methodology of soil cement.

A técnica de solo cimento se apresenta como uma ferramenta eficaz no melhoramento de distintos solos, adequando-os às necessidades da engenharia geotécnica. Tal tratamento do solo se aplica, por exemplo, na construção de bases para plataformas rodo-ferroviárias, camada de suporte para fundações superficiais, na prevenção da liquefação de solos granulares em condições fofas, no encapsulamento de solos contaminados e como barreiras de contenção de contaminação. Dessa forma, o presente estudo visa quantificar a influência da quantidade do cimento e da porosidade em relação ao comportamento mecânico das misturas de solos granulares com cimento. Assim, ensaios de resistência à compressão simples, resistência à compressão diametral, ensaios com bender elements e ensaios triaxiais foram realizados com o objetivo de obter uma metodologia de dosagem de solos granulares com adição de cimento. Para tal, foram utilizados um solo artificial areno-pedregulhoso, um solo arenoso grosso de origem granítica, um solo arenoso fino de origem basáltica, um solo arenoso fino de origem granítica e por último, uma areia fina uniforme, estes últimos três materiais com granulometria semelhante, mas com mineralogia e formato de grãos distintos. Em todos os ensaios foram utilizados cimento Portland CP–V (alta resistência inicial), como agente cimentante e água destilada. Corpos de prova cilíndricos foram moldados com distintos teores de cimento e porosidade. Os ensaios de resistência foram realizados após 7 dias de cura em ambiente com temperatura e umidade controlada. E os ensaios com bender elements foram realizados ao longo do tempo de cura, até 7 dias. Por último foi realizada a análise e comparação de todos os dados obtidos juntamente com outros materiais já estudados, no intuito de aprimorar o entendimento da técnica e da metodologia de dosagem de solo cimento. / The soil cement technique itself is an effective tool in the improvement of different soils, adapting them to the needs of geotechnical engineering. Such treatment of the soils might be used in the construction of road subgrades, railway platform subgrades, support layers for shallow foundations, in the encapsulation of contaminated soils in liquefaction prevention of loose granular soils and in barriers for containment of contamination. Thus, this study aimed at measuring the influence of the amount of cement and porosity on the mechanical behavior of granular soils – cement mixtures. Thus, unconfined compression, Brazilian tensile, bender elements and triaxial tests were carried out in order to obtain a dosage methodology for granular soils treated with cement. To this end, an artificial sand-gravel soil, a fine sand soil of basaltic origin, a fine sand soil of granitic origin and lastly, a coarse sandy soil, also of granitic origin were used. Early strength Portland cement was used as cementing agent, as well as distilled water. Cylindrical specimens were cast with different levels of cement and porosity. Strength tests were performed after 7 days curing in an environment with controlled temperature and humidity. Assays were performed using bender elements throughout the curing time, up to 7 days. Finally, a full analysis was performed using data obtained in present work, together with results of other granular soils treated with cement obtained through a literature review, in order to improve understanding of soil cement technique and enhance a dosage methodology of soil cement.

A técnica de solo cimento se apresenta como uma ferramenta eficaz no melhoramento de distintos solos, adequando-os às necessidades da engenharia geotécnica. Tal tratamento do solo se aplica, por exemplo, na construção de bases para plataformas rodo-ferroviárias, camada de suporte para fundações superficiais, na prevenção da liquefação de solos granulares em condições fofas, no encapsulamento de solos contaminados e como barreiras de contenção de contaminação. Dessa forma, o presente estudo visa quantificar a influência da quantidade do cimento e da porosidade em relação ao comportamento mecânico das misturas de solos granulares com cimento. Assim, ensaios de resistência à compressão simples, resistência à compressão diametral, ensaios com bender elements e ensaios triaxiais foram realizados com o objetivo de obter uma metodologia de dosagem de solos granulares com adição de cimento. Para tal, foram utilizados um solo artificial areno-pedregulhoso, um solo arenoso grosso de origem granítica, um solo arenoso fino de origem basáltica, um solo arenoso fino de origem granítica e por último, uma areia fina uniforme, estes últimos três materiais com granulometria semelhante, mas com mineralogia e formato de grãos distintos. Em todos os ensaios foram utilizados cimento Portland CP–V (alta resistência inicial), como agente cimentante e água destilada. Corpos de prova cilíndricos foram moldados com distintos teores de cimento e porosidade. Os ensaios de resistência foram realizados após 7 dias de cura em ambiente com temperatura e umidade controlada. E os ensaios com bender elements foram realizados ao longo do tempo de cura, até 7 dias. Por último foi realizada a análise e comparação de todos os dados obtidos juntamente com outros materiais já estudados, no intuito de aprimorar o entendimento da técnica e da metodologia de dosagem de solo cimento. / The soil cement technique itself is an effective tool in the improvement of different soils, adapting them to the needs of geotechnical engineering. Such treatment of the soils might be used in the construction of road subgrades, railway platform subgrades, support layers for shallow foundations, in the encapsulation of contaminated soils in liquefaction prevention of loose granular soils and in barriers for containment of contamination. Thus, this study aimed at measuring the influence of the amount of cement and porosity on the mechanical behavior of granular soils – cement mixtures. Thus, unconfined compression, Brazilian tensile, bender elements and triaxial tests were carried out in order to obtain a dosage methodology for granular soils treated with cement. To this end, an artificial sand-gravel soil, a fine sand soil of basaltic origin, a fine sand soil of granitic origin and lastly, a coarse sandy soil, also of granitic origin were used. Early strength Portland cement was used as cementing agent, as well as distilled water. Cylindrical specimens were cast with different levels of cement and porosity. Strength tests were performed after 7 days curing in an environment with controlled temperature and humidity. Assays were performed using bender elements throughout the curing time, up to 7 days. Finally, a full analysis was performed using data obtained in present work, together with results of other granular soils treated with cement obtained through a literature review, in order to improve understanding of soil cement technique and enhance a dosage methodology of soil cement.

Le comportement mécanique des sols granulaires est un élément important à prendre en compte dans l'ingénierie géotechnique. Les approches de modélisation actuelles pour le comportement des sols granulaires utilisent des relations constitutives phénoménologiques basées sur la mécanique classique du continuum. Ce problème peut être contourné en utilisant des relations constitutives multi-échelles basées sur les principes thermodynamiques avec variables internes. En utilisant une approche multi-échelle, cette thèse tente de construire des relations constitutives multi-échelles qui tiennent compte de la microstructure des sols granulaires et les mettre en oeuvre pour résoudre des problèmes géotechniques à la fois en petites et grandes déformations. La thèse vise à: 1) construire une relation constitutive multiéchelle pour les sols granulaires secs à partir d'un cadre thermodynamique qui nécessite moins d'hypothèses ad hoc; 2) étendre les formulations thermomécaniques multi-échelles aux sols granulaires partiellement saturés pour lesquels un modèle micromécanique est formulé; 3) implémenter le modèle en utilisant un algorithme d'intégration implicite dans un code aux éléments finis; 4) appliquer le modèle pour analyser l'instabilité des sols granulaires dans les cas de ruptures localisées et diffuses; et 5) démontrer la capacité de l'approche multi-échelle à résoudre certains problèmes géotechniques typiques en mettant en oeuvre le modèle dans un code aux éléments finis explicite. L'approche multi-échelle proposée aboutit à un outil de simulation qui fournit des informations précieuses sur les problèmes d'ingénierie depuis l'échelle des grains jusqu’à l’échelle de la structure. / The mechanical behaviour of granular soils is an important aspect in geotechnical engineering. Current modelling approaches for the behaviour of granular soils employ phenomenological constitutive relations based upon classical continuum mechanics. This problem can be circumvented by using multiscale constitutive relations based on thermodynamic principles with internal variables. Using a multiscale approach, this thesis attempts to construct multiscale constitutive relations that account for the microstructure of granular soilsand to demonstrate their capabilities in solving geotechnical problems at both small and large deformations. The thesis aims to: 1) construct a multiscale constitutive relation for dry granular soils based on a thermodynamic framework which requires fewer ad hoc assumptions; 2) extend the multiscale thermomechanical formulations for partially saturated granularsoils for which a micromechanical model is formulated; 3)implement the model using an implicit integration algorithm in a finite element code; 4) apply the model to analyse the instability of granular soils for both localised and diffuse failures; and 5) demonstrate the capability of the multiscale approach in solving some typical geotechnical problems by implementing the model in an explicit finite element code. The proposed multiscale approach offers a simulation tool that provides valuable insights into engineering problems from the grain to the structure scale.

La plupart des ruptures des structures géotechniques sont associées aux phénomènes de localisation des déformations, qui s'accompagnent toujours d'un adoucissement de la résistance. De nombreuses observations expérimentales montrent que d’importants réarrangements et rotations de particules se produisent à l'intérieur des bandes de cisaillement. Cette thèse vise à étudier numériquement les phénomènes de localisation des déformations dans les matériaux granulaires. Considérant les problèmes de dépendance au maillage dans l'analyse par éléments finis dans le cadre de la modélisation continue classique, un modèle de sable basé sur l' état critique a été formulé dans le cadre de la théorie micropolaire. Un code d'éléments finis pour les problèmes bidimensionnels a été développé dans ce cadre. Ensuite, les simulations d'essais bi-axiaux ont permis d’étudier en profondeur les caractéristiques des bandes de cisaillement en termes d'apparition,d'épaisseur, d'orientation, etc. Dans le même temps, l'efficacité de l'approche micropolaire, en tant que technique de régularisation, a été discutée. L'analyse de l'instabilité dans un continuum micropolaire basé sur le travail du second-ordre a également été effectuée. Enfin,pour une application plus large dans la simulation des défaillances en ingénierie géotechnique, le modèle 2D a été étendu à un modèle 3D. Sur la base de l'étude, les modèles 2D et 3D ont démontré leurs capacités de régularisation pour éviter les problèmes de dépendance au maillage et reproduire raisonnablement les bandes de cisaillement dans les géostructures. / Most of the progressive failures of geotechnical structures are associated with the strain localization phenomenon, which is generally accompanied by strength softening. Many experimental observationsshow that significant rear rangements and rotations of particles occur inside the shear bands. The aim of this thesis is to investigate numerically the strain localization phenomena of granular materials. Considering the mesh dependency problems in finite element analysis caused by strains oftening within the classical continuum framework, a sand model based on critical-state has been formulated within the framework of the micropolar theory, taking into account the micro rotations, and implemented into a finite element code for two dimensional problems. Then, the simulations of the shearband in biaxial tests are comprehensively studied in terms of onset, thickness, orientation, etc. At the same time, the efficiency of the micropolar approach, as a regularization technique, is discussed. This is followed by an instability analysis using the second-order work based on the micropolar continuum theory. Finally, for a wider application in simulating failures in geotechnical engineering, the 2D model has been extended to 3D model. Based on the entire study, both the 2D and 3Dmodel demonstrate obvious regularization ability to relieve the mesh dependency problems and to reproduce reasonably the shear bands in geostructures.

Les matériaux granulaires sont souvent utilisés les chaussées à faible et moyen trafic, pour la réalisation des couches d’assise, des couches de forme et de la couche de sol support. Les sollicitations dues au trafic sont les principales causes d’endommagement de ces chaussées qui conduisent à deux modes de dégradation: l’orniérage à grand rayon et la fissuration par fatigue de la couverture bitumineuse. L’influence de la non saturation et de la teneur en fines sur la capacité portante des sols granulaires joue un rôle très important sur la rigidité mécanique ainsi que l’endommagement des structures de chaussées soumises aux chargements répétés du trafic. En plus, le phénomène d’hystérésis produit par les conditions environnementales, notamment les conditions hydriques a également une influence importante sur la rigidité de ces matériaux non liés. Cependant, la méthode de dimensionnement des chaussées neuves en France ne permet pas de prendre en compte correctement l’effet de teneur en fines et l’effet de l’hystérésis hydrique. L’objectif de la thèse est d’étudier l’effet de la non-saturation, de la teneur en fines et de l’hystérésis hydrique sur le comportement mécanique des matériaux granulaires de chaussées soumis aux chargements répétés du trafic. Nous avons réalisé une campagne d’essais à différentes teneurs en eau sur deux chemins d’humidification et de séchage, avec mesure de la succion, de la résistance au cisaillement et du comportement résilient (essais triaxiaux à chargements répétés). Finalement, à l’aide de ces résultats expérimentaux, nous avons déterminé les paramètres des modèles classiques d’élasticité non linéaire. Ces modèles sont implantés dans le code de calcul aux éléments finis CAST3M pour déterminer la déflexion de chaussées souples lorsqu’elles sont soumises à des sollicitations mécaniques de trafic et des sollicitations hydriques environnementales. / Granular materials are often used in low traffic pavement structures, with unbound granular base and sub-base layers. The load due to traffic is one of the principal damage modes for these pavements. The main design criteria for these pavements are a rutting criterion for the subgrade, a fatigue criterion for the asphalt layer. The variation of the unsaturated state and the clay content in granular materials have a significant influence on their mechanical behavior. In addition, the hysteresis phenomenon produced by the environmental conditions, including water conditions also has a very important influence on the rigidity of the unbound material. Whereas, the French design method is based on linear elastic calculations. It does not take into account theinfluence of clay content of pavement materials and the influence of the hysteresis phenomenon. Then, the objective of this thesis is to study the unsaturated state, the clay content and the hysteresis phenomenon on mechanical behavior of unbound granular materials for roads subjected to traffic loading. A series of tests for different water contents on both wetting and drying paths have been carried out with matrix suction measurements, shear tests and repeated load triaxial tests for the resilient behavior. Finally, the experimental results were simulated using the nonlinear elastic model (modified Boyce model) generally used for the resilient behavior of granular soils. These models are implemented in the finite element code and calculations have been performed with CAST3M to determine the deflection of full scale pavements at different environmental conditions.