EXPERIMENTAL-VERIFICATION AND NUMERICAL EVALUATION OF THE 3-INVARIANT DEPENDENT CAP MODEL FOR COHESIONLESS SOIL

The concept of a three stress invariant dependent cap model is used to formulate a generalized constitutive model for cohesionless soils within the framework of rate independent plasticity and critical state soil mechanics. In order to assess the applicability of this model, a local sand is tested using a modified conventional triaxial device. The test results are used to evaluate the eleven model constants. The model is shown to realistically predict the soil response for triaxial experiments in both compression and extension. The model's extreme versatility and accuracy are demonstrated by applying it to describe the behavior of the local dune sand under drained monotonic loading conditions. Thereafter, the use of the model in a finite element formulation for solving a boundary value problem is illustrated by using it to analyse the interaction of a shallow foundation with its supporting soil.