Mechanics properties of sand under triaxial test simulated by particle flow code

The triaxial tests of sand were simulated by PFC3D (particle flow code in three dimensions). The slip model is used to constitute samples of sand. The slip model provides no normal strength in tension and allowes slip to occur by limiting the shear force. Preliminary study on mechanical properties of the sand is done by PFC3D numerical simulation through endowing appropriate micro-properties. Good agreement between the results of numerical simulations and laboratory tests is shown. Macro properties of sand samples with various input parameters of particle elements are presented, and the results are valuable for developing sand constitutive models. It is shown that the microscopic parameters of sands affected markedly the macroscopic response of sands. The meaning of this research lies in the fact that PFC mode could break through the limits of real lab tests and make the microscopic research of sand possible.