Second-gradient constitutive theory for granular material with random packing structure (Q675553)

A second-gradient constitutive law for granular media is derived, in which stress is a function of the second order of strain gradient. The constitutive coefficients for granular material with an isotropic packing structure are derived in explicit form in terms of inter-particle stiffness and particle size. In the present constitutive theory, the total number of elastic constants for the isotropic granular material is four: two of them are the usual Lamé constants; the other two are associated with the second gradient of strain. The derived constitutive relations illustrate the important role of micro-scale properties in the macro-scale behavior.