Micromechanics of granulated rubber–soil mixtures as a cost-effective substitute for geotechnical fillings

Abstract

Rubber–soil mixtures (RSM), formed by mixing two types of granules with vastly different mechanical properties, has the potential for serving as a cost-effective substitute for geotechnical fillings. Its micromechanical behavior at a microscopic scale, however, is not yet well understood. In this study, a numerical model of granulated RSM under biaxial compression conditions is established based on the discrete element theory and two-dimensional particle flow code. Microparameters of a particular RSM are studied and calibrated by comparison with triaxial consolidated drained shear tests. The volumetric fraction of sand is assigned as the index of the mixture, and the deviatoric stress–axial strain curves of RSM with different sand fractions are analyzed. Particle rotation, average coordination number, force chain structure, and energy dissipation with axial strains are further investigated to better understand the microscopic mechanisms of RSM. The main findings of the study include: (1) Rubber particles are highly deformable and fill the voids more easily than stiffer sand particles. This contributes to the high friction of sand–rubber interfaces, which delays or even inhibits the relative motion and tumbling of sand particles; (2) The force chains of sand particles are either braced from buckling until large axial strains by rubber particles occupying the intergranular voids or distributed by increased rubber–rubber contacts depending on the rubber content; and (3) RSM with a rubber volumetric content of 30–40% are optimal in that the force chain increases monotonically with axial strain with a stable load-deformation relationship. In addition, the sensitivity analysis of the effect of microparameters on the macroscopic behavior of RSM is presented, which can provide theoretical support for exploring the mechanical properties of similar mixed granular materials subjected to external loading.