Dilatancy effects on the constitutive modeling of granular soils

Abstract

Unique features of behavior of granular materials make constitutive modeling of these materials a challenge that has not yet been answered completely. Because volume changes are so important for the type of behavior exhibited by frictional materials, it is important to correctly incorporate them in constitutive models, both in terms of their rate of development and their magnitude. In this study a number of consolidated drained triaxial tests are performed to find those features of sand behavior that can be considered "material parameters" and can be used for constitutive modeling of granular soils. Special attention is given to those features of material behavior that are related to dilatancy. A number of published experimental data are also analyzed and useful trends of soil behavior are found.