The discrete element method (DEM) is increasingly gaining acceptance as a modelling tool for engineering problems of direct geotechnical relevance. One area for which the method seems naturally well adapted is that of ...

The mechanical behavior of granular materials is characterized by strong nonlinearity and irreversibility. These properties have been differently described by a variety of constitutive models. To test any constitutive ...

A three-dimensional discrete element model is used to investigate the effect of grain crushing on the tip resistance measured by cone penetration tests (CPT) in calibration chambers. To do that a discrete analogue of pumice ...

A series of numerical simulations is used to explore the effect of the geometrical disposition of impermeable membranes in the overall performance of slab-track railway earthworks, with particular reference to the generation ...

Municipal solid waste is sometimes stored in baled form either before or after treatment. General design requirements for MSW landfills, such as slope stability and lining long-term integrity are still relevant for bale ...

In geotechnical applications the success of the discrete element method (DEM) in simulating fundamental aspects of soil behaviour has increased the interest in applications for direct simulation of engineering scale boundary ...

Using realistic constitutive models for artificially cemented soils is advantageous in design. However, the price of that increased realism is often a more elaborate model, which is difficult to calibrate. A database of ...

The virtual calibration chamber technique, based on the discrete element method, is here applied to study the standard penetration test (SPT). A macro-element approach is used to represent a rod driven with an impact like ...