Plastic flows of granular materials of shear index \(n\). I: Yield functions (Q1204809)

Granular materials fail due to frictional slip between particles when the shear component of stress \(\tau\) attains a critical value which depends on the normal component of stress \(\sigma\). A number of authors have investigated the so-called Warren Spring equation \((\tau/c)^ n=1- (\sigma/t)\) where \(c\), \(t\) and \(n\) are positive constants which are referred to as the cohesion, tensile strength and shear index respectively and known numerical values of the shear index indicate that for certain materials \(n\) lies between the values 1 and 2. Here, the yield function in terms of principal stresses corresponding to the Warren Spring equation is derived and bounding external and internal yield cones are deduced.