On the applicability of cross-anisotropic elasticity to granular materials at very small strains

• DOI: 10.1680/geot.2002.52.10.727
• Publication Date: 2009-10-20T12:08:41Z
• Authors: R. Kuwano; R. J. Jardine
• Keywords: Stress space; Elasticity; Yield surface; Effective stress

The paper examines the validity of assuming that granular material behaviour can be considered as cross-anisotropic, linear elastic, within a kinematic ‘kernel’ yield surface is dragged through stress space with current effective point. Data from more than 300 high-resolution triaxial probing and bender element tests performed on 15 samples are reported in which both small cycles shear wave measurements vertical horizontal directions were conducted sand glass ballotini specimens under various states. It was found not fully elastic. However, provided ratio, R, kept below around 2·2, most features very small-strain could described terms strongly anisotropic compliance varied void ratio state, apparently independently specimen's history. anisotropy depended Specimens loaded to R values exceeding 2·2 experienced shear-induced dilation followed different patterns behaviour. concept closed elastic surface, or ‘kernel’, proved an appropriate way describing pronounced effects recent history apparent limits range observed wide tests.