Modeling of Minimum Void Ratio for Granular Soil with Effect of Particle Size Distribution

摘要

Minimum void ratio is an important soil property in the practice of geotechnical engineering. It correlates with the volume change tendency, the pore fluid conductivity, and the shear strength of the soil. Minimum void ratio for granular soil is highly dependent on its particle size distribution. However, very few analytical models are available for predicting minimum void ratios as a function of particle size distribution. This paper develops a mathematical model that can predict the minimum void ratio for granular soil with arbitrary particle size distribution based on a more fundamental approach using the concept of dominant particle network. The developed model is evaluated by the simulation results using a discrete element method (DEM) and by the experimental results on granular soil with four different gradations to illustrate the applicability of model. The results predicted by the model show very good agreement with the data from DEM simulations and experiments. (c) 2017 American Society of Civil Engineers.