A new procedure for determining parameter values in the barcelona basic model

D’Onza, F., Gallipoli, D. and Wheeler, S. (2012) A new procedure for determining parameter values in the barcelona basic model. In: Unsaturated Soils: Research and Applications. Springer Berlin Heidelberg, pp. 93-102. ISBN 9783642313424 (doi: 10.1007/978-3-642-31343-1_12)

Abstract

The Barcelona Basic Model (BBM) is one of the most popular elasto-plastic models for unsaturated soils. However, determination of parameter values from experimental data is often not straightforward and this has hindered dissemination of the model among practitioners. The main difficulty is related to the calibration of the isotropic virgin response as individual aspects of soil behaviour are controlled in BBM by multiple parameters while a single parameter can control more than one aspect of soil behaviour. As a consequence, iterative calibration procedures are common practice, where parameter values are adjusted in turn to match experiments. These procedures require significant experience, are time consuming and often lead to different parameter values. In this context, a new calibration method for the isotropic virgin behaviour in BBM is proposed where each parameter is determined in a specific order without making assumptions on remaining ones. The procedure, which is objective, simple and robust, has the potential of increasing the appeal of BBM for practitioners.

• Item Type: Book Sections
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Wheeler, Professor Simon and Gallipoli, Dr Domenico
• Authors: D’Onza, F., Gallipoli, D., and Wheeler, S.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering; College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Infrastructure and Environment
• Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
• ISBN: 9783642313424