| Abstract: | A review of the literature indicates that the elastic behaviour of granular materials is isotropic and that Poissony's ratio is constant, whereas Young's Modulus, the bulk modulus and the shear modulus vary with the mean normal stress and the deviatoric stress. A nonlinear, isotropic model for the elastic behaviour is developed on the basis of theoretical considerations involving the principle of conservation of energy. Energy is therefore neither generated not dissipated in closed-loop stress paths or in closed-loop strain paths. The framework for the model consists of Hooke's law, in which Poission's ratio is constant and Young's modulus is expressed as a power function invlving the first invariat of the stress tensor and the second invariant of the deviatoric stress tensor. The characteristics of the model are described, and the accuracy is evaluated by comparison with experimental results from triaxial tests and three-dimensional cubical triaxial tests with a variety of stress paths. Parameter determination from unloading–reloading cycles in conventional triaxial compression tests is demonstrated, typical parameter values are given for granular materials and extension of the model to soils with effective cohesion is described. |
