Formulation of a three-dimensional constitutive model for unsaturated soils incorporating mechanical-water retention couplings

Lloret-Cabot, M. , Sánchez, M. and Wheeler, S.J. (2013) Formulation of a three-dimensional constitutive model for unsaturated soils incorporating mechanical-water retention couplings. International Journal for Numerical and Analytical Methods in Geomechanics, 37(17), pp. 3008-3035. (doi: 10.1002/nag.2176)

Full text not currently available from Enlighten.

Abstract

Wheeler, Sharma and Buisson proposed an elasto-plastic constitutive model for unsaturated soils that couples the mechanical and water retention behaviours. The model was formulated for isotropic stress states and adopts the mean Bishop's stress and modified suction as stress state variables. This paper deals with the extension of this constitutive model to general three-dimensional stress conditions, proposing the generalized stress–strain relationships required for the numerical integration of the constitutive model. A characteristic of the original model is the consideration of a number of elasto-plastic mechanisms to describe the complex behaviour of unsaturated soils. This work presents the three-dimensional formulation of these coupled irreversible mechanisms in a generalized way including anisotropic loading. The paper also compares the results from the model with published experiments performed under different loading conditions. The response of the model is very satisfactory in terms of both mechanical and water retention behaviours.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Wheeler, Professor Simon and Lloret-Cabot, Dr Marti
Authors: Lloret-Cabot, M., Sánchez, M., and Wheeler, S.J.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Infrastructure and Environment
Journal Name:International Journal for Numerical and Analytical Methods in Geomechanics
Publisher:John Wiley & Sons
ISSN:0363-9061
ISSN (Online):1096-9853

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record

Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
359511Mechanics of unsaturated soils for engineering (MUSE)Simon WheelerEuropean Commission (EC)MRTN-CT-2004-50ENG - ENGINEERING INFRASTRUCTURE & ENVIR