Analysis of dense packing of highly deformed grains

Abstract

This paper concerns modeling of soft granular materials in which the grains are highly deformable. In order to simulate these materials, an approach based on an implicit formulation of the Material Point Method in the context of the finite strain theory, allowing for large deformations of grains, coupled with the Contact Dynamics method for the treatment of unilateral frictional contacts between grains, is proposed. In this context, the Mooney-Rivlin constitutive relationship is applied with two different set of elastic parameters. Considering these two material behaviors, a uniaxial compression of 2D soft granular packings is analyzed. The stress-strain relation and the evolution of the packing fraction as well as of the connectivity of the grains are discussed.