3D Mapping of deformation in an unconsolidated sand: A micro mechanical study

Abstract

This paper presents a study of 3D deformation process in a dry packing of Ottawa sand. X-ray microtomography is used to acquire scans of a triaxial test of the sample at five axial stress levels. Using 3D image analysis we are able to resolve particle scale features. Particle tracking combined with finite element simulations reveals that the rotational transformation of particles is one of the primary mechanisms of elastic energy dissipation at the grain scale. By analysing grain contact orientation, we show that stress induced anisotropy is spatially correlated to the compressional elastic wave.