A sequential method for selecting parameter values in the Barcelona basic model

Gallipoli, D., D'Onza, F. and Wheeler, S.J. (2010) A sequential method for selecting parameter values in the Barcelona basic model. Canadian Geotechnical Journal, 47(11), pp. 1175-1186. (doi: 10.1139/T10-017)

Abstract

The popularity of the Barcelona basic model (BBM) has grown steadily since its publication in 1990, due to its ability to capture key aspects of unsaturated soil behaviour. Nevertheless, the BBM is still rarely employed by practitioners, partly because of the absence of simple and objective methods for selecting parameter values from laboratory tests. One difficulty is that, in the BBM, individual aspects of the isotropic virgin behaviour are controlled by multiple parameters, while at the same time a single parameter controls more than one aspect of soil behaviour. This has led to iterative procedures where parameter values are adjusted in turn to match experiments, which requires significant experience and can lead to the selection of widely varying parameter values depending on the user. The proposed method streamlines parameter selection with a view to increasing the appeal of the BBM for practitioners. The method adopts a “sequential” procedure where the five parameters governing isotropic virgin behaviour are matched to degrees of freedom in the BBM, which are then fixed one at a time, in a specific order, without any assumption about other parameters. The simplicity and reduced subjectivity of the method in comparison with iterative procedures is demonstrated by selecting parameter values from laboratory tests.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Wheeler, Professor Simon and Gallipoli, Dr Domenico and D'Onza, Dr Francesca
• Authors: Gallipoli, D., D'Onza, F., and Wheeler, S.J.
• Subjects: T Technology > T Technology (General)
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Infrastructure and Environment
• Journal Name: Canadian Geotechnical Journal
• ISSN: 0008-3674
• ISSN (Online): 1208-6010
• Published Online: 13 October 2010