Micromechanical approach in granular materials (Q4215059)

First we present fundamental concepts of the multiple scale approach used in the theory of continuous media. Then we analyze some experimental evidence which shows that the evolution of the internal structure in granular media governs the behaviour of such materials. Different variables classically used to describe this kind of materials are compared, and the classical Mohr-Coulomb and Lade criteria are plotted. We show that the Lade criterion fits very well with the predictions obtained by the proposed method. A review of homogenization techniques applied to granular material is presented, where the periodic materials are used to model the elastic behaviour of regular arrays of spheres. Random arrays can be analysed by statistical homogenization techniques which only allow the determination of mechanical characteristics. These techniques are applied to nonlinear elastic behaviour as well as to yield and failure surfaces of granular materials. For the entire collection see [Zbl 0896.00015].