• Interaction and multiscale mechanics
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.235-261
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• 2009

This study illustrates the differences between the elasto-plastic cap model and Lade's model with Cosserat rotation through the analyses of two large-scale geosynthetic-reinforced soil (GRS) retaining wall tests that were brought to failure using a monotonically increasing surcharge pressure. The finite element analyses with Lade's model were able to reasonably simulate the large-scale plane strain laboratory tests. On average, the finite element analyses gave reasonably good agreement with the experimental results in terms of global performances and shear band occurrences. In contrast, the cap model was not able to simulate the development of shear banding in the tests. In both test simulations the cap model predicted failure loads that were substantially less than the measured ones.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.315-329
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• 2003

As shear occurs along a soil-structure interface, a localized zone with a thickness of several grain diameters will develop in soil along the interface, forming an interfacial layer. In this paper, the behaviour of a soil-structure interface is studied numerically by modelling the plane shear of a granular layer bounded by rigid plates. The mechanical behaviour of the granular material is described with a micro-polar hypoplastic continuum model. Numerical results are presented to show the development of shear localization along the interface for shearing under conditions of constant normal pressure and constant volume, respectively. Evolution of the resistance on the surface of the bounding plate is considered with respect to the influences of grain rotation.