Prediction of terminal density through a two-surface plasticity model

Abstract

The prediction of soil response under repetitive mechanical loadings remains challenging in geotechnical engineering applications. Modeling the cyclic soil response requires a robust model validation with an experimental dataset. This study proposes a unique method adopting linearity of model constant with the number of cycles. The model allows the prediction of the terminal density of sediments when subjected to repetitive changes in pore-fluid pressure based on the two-surface plasticity. Model simulations are analyzed in combination with an experimental dataset of sandy sediments when subjected to repetitive changes in pore fluid pressure under constant deviatoric stress conditions. The results show that the modified plastic moduli in the two-surface plasticity model appear to be critical for determining the terminal density. The methodology introduced in this study is expected to contribute to the prediction of the terminal density and the evolution of shear strain at given repetitive loading conditions.