Compositional Effects and Mechanical Parametric Analysis of Outwash Deposits Based on the Randomised Generation of Stone Blocks

Abstract

Based on the distribution of the stone blocks in outwash deposits, the paper present a modeling method for the random structure of outwash deposits, in which the long axis of the stone blocks is supposed obeying a lognormal distribution. Then numerical experiments of biaxial compression using the granular discrete element method are used in the macro- and micro parametric analysis. The influences of strength of the cementation, the sizes of stone blocks, and the content of stone blocks on the peak compressive and shear strength are discussed. The micromechanical parameters of the outwash deposits are also analyzed. The proposed method offers a supplement to the mechanical characterization of outwash deposits and accounts for the limitation that indoor experiments cannot consider large stone blocks.