Calibration of Constitutive Models for Florida Sands by Drained Triaxial Tests

Finite element analysis of geotechnical materials is contingent on the proper constitutive model to represent the soil. These models often range in complexity from simple linear elastic to complex hardening and consolidation behavior. Even though many models have been derived, there is little guidance for the selection of input parameters for such models. In this study, four constitutive models are considered the Mohr-Coulomb and Hardening Soil from Plaxis and the Drucker-Prager and Sandler Dimaggio from PlasFEM. A series of six consolidated drained triaxial tests are used to verify constitutive model parameters for sand. The laboratory derived strength and stiffness parameters, the results of a parametric study, and limited guidance from the literature are assembled to provide a best estimate of inputs for four constitutive models. The of plots of the finite element simulations using each of the four models versus the actual triaxial tests show good agreement, respective to the model behavior. A summary table of the parameters details the results.