DEM analysis of some effects due to capillary forces in sands

Abstract

In this paper, the Discrete Element Method is used to study the e ect of capillary forces, in equilibrium with the ambient relative humidity, on the response of irregular arrangements of equal-sized spheres, simulating a fine uniformly graded quartz sand. The e ect on the isotropic compression was investigated by applying an increase in total stress under constant relative humidity (wet and dry) and drying under di erent constant total stress values. The e ect of the capillary forces on the shear strength was evidenced by the simulation of the instability of a cylindrical sand column due to drying.