Compressibility dependence on grain size distribution and relative density in sands

A framework of continuum breakage mechanics was used to investigate the dependence of compressibility on grain size distribution(GSD)as well as relative density of sand.Compressibility dependence on GSD was considered by employing a GSD index and relative density dependence was reflected by varying the plastic-breakage coupling angle.Simulations of the experimental results including isotropic compression and one-dimensional compression of sands with different relative densities and GSDs revealed that sand compressibility increased with the increasing GSD index and plastic-breakage coupling angle.The coupling angle decreased with increasing relative density,indicating that grains would break more in sand with comparatively high relative density.