Macro and micro critical states of granular materials with different grain shapes

The mechanical behaviors of granular media are controlled by grain properties and microstructure. The primary property of granular media is denoted by grain shape, grain size distribution, stiffness, and interparticle friction; grain shape is particularly important. Microstructures are formed as the connection paths of contact points between grains. In this paper, the deformation of granular materials with different grain shapes was simulated using two-dimensional DEM under different stress-levels and densities. After analyzing the results, the authors investigated fabric changes. The evolution rule of stress-induced anisotropy and its limitation and the existence of critical state of fabric are revealed.