Mohr-Coulomb Model

Short Course on Computational Geotechnics + DynamicsBoulder, ColoradoJanuary 5-8, 2004

Stein StureProfessor of Civil EngineeringUniversity of Colorado at Boulder

Contents• Idealized and Real Stress-Strain Behavior of Soils• Basic Concepts of Mohr-Coulomb Model• Mohr-Coulomb Model Modeling• Friction Angle• Influence of Intermediate Principal Stress on

Friction Angle• Drained Simple Shear Test• How to Understand • Drained Triaxial Test

Computational Geotechnics Mohr-Coulomb Model

Idealized and Real Stress-Strain Behavior of Soils

Computational Geotechnics Mohr-Coulomb Model

Basic Concepts of Mohr-Coulomb Model

Bilinear approximation of triaxial testBasic law: for

reversible elastic strain

irreversible plastic strain f = yield function

i ie i

p

i x, y,etc.

ie

ip

ip

0

f 0

f f ( x, y, z, xy, yz, zx )

Computational Geotechnics Mohr-Coulomb Model

Mohr-Coulomb Soil Modeling

Computational Geotechnics Mohr-Coulomb Model

Mohr-Coulomb Soil Modeling

Flow rule for plastic strain:

This means: , , etc.

ip

g i

xp

g x

yp

g y

Computational Geotechnics Mohr-Coulomb Model

Mohr-Coulomb Soil Modeling a multiplier that determines the

magnitude of plastic strains

determines the direction of plastic strains

Classical associated plasticity: g = fGeneral non-associated plasticity: g fM-C model: f r – s sin – c cos : yield functiong r – s sin – c cos : plastic potential function

g i

Computational Geotechnics Mohr-Coulomb Model

Mohr-Coulomb Soil Modeling

Nonlinear Failure Envelope RepresentationComputational Geotechnics Mohr-Coulomb Model

Mohr-Coulomb Soil Modeling

Friction Angle DefinitionsComputational Geotechnics Mohr-Coulomb Model

Mohr-Coulomb Soil Modeling

Strength Envelopes for a Range of Soil TypesComputational Geotechnics Mohr-Coulomb Model

Mohr-Coulomb Soil Modeling

Versus Relative Density and Unit Weight

tc

Computational Geotechnics Mohr-Coulomb Model

Friction Angle

Dilatancy Angle RelationshipsComputational Geotechnics Mohr-Coulomb Model

1 = Correction for particle shape1 = -6o For high sphericity and subrounded shape1 = +2o For low sphericity and angular shape

2 = Correction for particle size (effective size, d10)2 = -11o For d10 > 2.0 mm (gravel)2 = -9o For 2.0 > d10 >0.6 mm (coarse sand)2 = -4o For 0.6 > d10 >0.2 mm (medium sand)2 = 0 For 0.2 > d10 >0.06 mm (fine sand)

3 = Correction for graduation (uniformity coefficient, Cu)3 = -2o For Cu > 2.0 (well-graded)3 = -1o For Cu = 2.0 (medium graded)3 = 0 For Cu < 2.0 (poorly graded)

4 = Correction for relative density (Dr)4 = -1o For 0 < Dr <0.5 (loose)4 = 0 For 0.5 < Dr < 0.75 (intermediate)4 = +4o For 0.75 < Dr < 1.00 (dense)

5 = Correction for type of mineral5 = 0 For quartz5 = +4o For feldspar, calcite, chlorite5 = +6o For muscovite mica

tc 36o 1 2 3 4 5

in which:

Computational Geotechnics Mohr-Coulomb Model

cv

max cv 0.8

for NC Clays vs. PI

Computational Geotechnics Mohr-Coulomb Model

Influence of Intermediate Principal Stress on Friction Angle

Introduction: Models and soil mechanics

Special conditions Name of test Diagram

cba

True triaxial

rcb

Cylindrical compression The “triaxial” test

0b

Plane strain or biaxial

0b

Plane stress

0 rcb

One-dimensional compression The oedometer test

0 rcb

Uniaxial compression or Unconfined compression

0 cba

Isotropic compression

Computational Geotechnics Mohr-Coulomb Model

Influence of Intermediate Principal Stress on Friction Angle

Computational Geotechnics Mohr-Coulomb Model

Drained Simple Shear Test

Computational Geotechnics Mohr-Coulomb Model

How to Understand

= + i or = - i

i = inter particle angle of friction

quartz sand: – 30o

Computational Geotechnics Mohr-Coulomb Model

Drained Triaxial Test

v x y z 2x y

tan 2sin

1 sin(identical to biaxial test)

Computational Geotechnics Mohr-Coulomb Model