Discrete element modeling for the study of the effect of soft inclusions on the behavior of soil mix material

Abstract The influence of soil inclusions on the mechanical behavior of deep soil mix material was studied by discrete element simulations in combination with some laboratory tests. The innovative aspect of the simulations was that individual fracturing in the heterogeneous material was modeled. It was observed that the reduction of strength and stiffness did not correspond to the weighted average of the UCS and Young’s modulus, taking into account the volumes of the strong and weak material. The actual reduction was considerably larger, e.g., on average the strength was reduced by 13% and 50% for 1% and 10% of inclusions, respectively. Moreover, other parameters, such as the shape, number, and relative position of inclusions, also have an important influence on the strength and stiffness. First, sharp-ended inclusions have a more negative impact on the strength and stiffness than rounded inclusions. Second, one large inclusion reduces strength and stiffness more than three smaller inclusions with the same shape and accounting for the same total volume percentage. Finally, diagonally-located and more-concentrated inclusions have a more negative impact on the mechanical behavior than vertically-aligned and widely-spread inclusions. The results of the numerical simulations showed good agreement with the results of laboratory tests with regard to the effect on strength and stiffness as well as the observed fracture patterns.