Bender Element Testing and Discrete Element Modeling of Shear Wave in Granular Media

摘要

Shear wave velocity of granular materials is often measured by bender elements in laboratory to determine its engineering properties. However, accurate interpretation of measured wave propagation can be challenging which requires better understanding of bender element and soil particle interactions, and shear wave propagation in granular materials. In this study, bender element tests were performed on three granular materials: silicate and glass sphere beads, and ASTM fine graded sand. These bender element tests are simulated with discrete element method using software PFC3D. The DEM models were calibrated with the physical laboratory tests. The results from DEM simulations are useful to identify shear and compression wave propagation and to improve interpretation of the receiver signals.