A
Micro-mechanical Modelling of the
Pressure Dependence of the Void Index of a Granular Assembly:
Abstract: This paper models the increase of density of a virgin loose
granular sample submitted to a progressive compression (either isotropic or
anisotropic) as an irreversible process which destroys the larger voids; a
statistical mechanics approach similar to the one proposed by Boutreux & de
Gennes is performed which leads to the equation of the density of normally
consolidated states as a function of pressure; this equation is in agreement
with experimental data and the typical variation of e (void index) or v (specific
volume) vs. ln(p) .
poudres & grains 10,
6-16, (20 décembre 1999)