Physical basis of normalizable stress-strain curves for the undrained shear of clays

Paul G. Joseph

In the proceedings of: GeoMontréal 2013: 66th Canadian Geotechnical Conference; 11th joint with IAH-CNC

Session: Soil and Rock Mechanics I

ABSTRACT: Dynamical systems theory of soil shear holds that normalized stress-strain curves for undrained shear of clays are to be expected. Per this theory, load bearing particles of soil in the shear zone move to the steady-state configuration at random shear strains, causing the interparticle contact area of load bearing particles not in the steady-state configuration to decay exponentially. Shear and normal stress act in simple friction on this contact area. For a given OCR, stress path, and strain, this contact area is the same. Consequently, for a given OCR and stress-path, stresses (including peak stresses) normalize.

RÉSUMÉ: Théorie des systèmes dynamiques de cisaillement du sol maintient que les courbes normalisées de contrainte-déformation de cisaillement des argiles sont à prévoir. Par cette théorie, les particules du sol portante dans la zone de cisaillement passe à la configuration d'équilibre au hasard des déformations de cisaillement, provoquant la zone de contact entre les particules entre les particules portante de charge qui ne se trouve pas dans une configuration stable à décroitre exponentiellement. Le cisaillement et la contrainte normale agissent comme simple frottement sur cette zone de contact. Pour un OCR, un cheminement de contrainte et une déformation donnés, cette zone de contact est la même. Par conséquent, pour un OCR et un cheminement de contrainte donnés, les contraintes se normalisent (y compris les contraintes maximales).

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Cite this article:
Paul G. Joseph (2013) Physical basis of normalizable stress-strain curves for the undrained shear of clays in GEO2013. Ottawa, Ontario: Canadian Geotechnical Society.

@article{GeoMon2013Paper186,author = Paul G. Joseph,title = Physical basis of normalizable stress-strain curves for the undrained shear of clays ,year = 2013}