Elastic material constants for isotropic granular solids with particle rotation (Q1201531)

The granular material perceived as a collection of particles is modelled as a micropolar continuum taking account of particle interaction and microstructure of the material. Explicit expressions for constitutive constants in terms of elastic inter-particle stiffness are derived for granular solids with isotropic random fabric distribution. Based on the derived expressions for isotropic material, six material constants are identified instead of two constants used in conventional elasticity. Finite element analysis incorporating these material constants is described and used to obtain solutions for boundary value problems.