Numerical Study on sand and steel interfaces

Abstract Simple shear tests of sand along steel plates have been simulated numerically using a finite element method and an elasto-plastic Cosserat model. The Cosserat model differs from the conventional theory of plasticity due to the fact that the Cosserat rotations, the couple stresses and the mean grain diameter as a characteristic length are taken into account. The additiona Cosserat boundary condition along the steel plate allows a more detailed description of the wall roughness. Comparisons between the numerical calculations and the experimental results show acceptable agreement.