Grain size dependence of yielding in granular soils interpreted using fracture mechanics, breakage mechanics and Weibull statistics

• DOI: 10.1680/jgeot.15.p.119
• Publication Date: 2015-11-27T14:40:00Z
• Authors: Y. D. Zhang; G. Buscarnera; I. Einav
• Keywords: Breakage; Brittleness

The macroscopic yield pressure of brittle granular soils is experimentally known to depend on the size particles. In this paper connection established theoretically within a unified framework that integrates principles fracture mechanics, breakage mechanics and Weibull's weakest link theory. particular, work input at which continuum begins comminute linked specific energy single particle fails, reveals an intrinsic length scale in form mean grain initial assembly. then connected with both process developing scale. impacts various mechanisms are explored, discussed assessed against wide set data assembly This provides new theoretical basis estimate effect widely variable sizes large-scale applications for direct testing not feasible, such as rockfill engineering mining technologies.