DEM analysis of the crack propagation in brittle clays under uniaxial compression tests

The discrete element method (DEM) has been used to study how cracks propagate in a continuum material (clay) subjected to a uniaxial compressive stress. The DEM results were compared with those obtained in laboratory samples. The laboratory tests used stiff clay samples with one crack inclined at varying angles with respect to the compressive stress. The DEM and the laboratory results compared very well. Also, the DEM proved to be a very Successful approach for the visualization of secondary crack formations and its propagation in the Simulated samples. Copyright (c) 2007 John Wiley & Soils, Ltd.