Influence of Particle Shape on Behavior of Rockfill Using a Three-Dimensional Deformable DEM

The deformable discrete-element method (DEM) was employed to study the effect of particle shape on the macroscopic mechanical behavior of rockfill materials. Relationships among the micromechanical parameters and macroscopic response of rockfill materials were identified by simulating triaxial compression tests on numerical samples. The numerical experiment results showed that the particle shape has a significant impact on the macroscopic response of rockfill. For instance, the peak strength and residual strength of the numerical sample and the axial strain corresponding to the peak strength increased with an increase in the aspect ratio of the particle. (C) 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers.