A generalised fully coupled mechanical-water retention model for unsaturated soils

Lloret, M. , Sanchez, M., Karstunen, M. and Wheeler, S. (2009) A generalised fully coupled mechanical-water retention model for unsaturated soils. In: 1st International Symposium on Computational Geomechanics, Juan-les-Pins, France, 29 April - 1 May 2009,

Abstract

A fully coupled constitutive model that explicitly includes in a unique and consistent framework the mechanical and the water-retention behaviour is adopted in this work to describe the behaviour of unsaturated soils. The constitutive model adopted is a 3D generalization of the one proposed by Wheeler et al, (2003). It is assumed that the behaviour of unsaturated soils can be regarded as the consequence of the joint action of several mechanisms that can be individually or simultaneously activated depending on the stress path considered. Concepts of multi-dissipative materials combined with classical plasticity theory have been used to take into account the possibility of having more than one elasto-plastic mechanism simultaneously active and, hence, that different phenomena can induce irreversible changes. A critical comparison between model results and experimental data is also presented showing good agreement between observed and computed results.

• Item Type: Conference Proceedings
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Wheeler, Professor Simon and Lloret-Cabot, Dr Marti
• Authors: Lloret, M., Sanchez, M., Karstunen, M., and Wheeler, S.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Infrastructure and Environment