This proceedings volume contains papers from researchers in Japan, the United States and England who have made fundamental contributions to the micromechanics of granular materials. The purpose of the seminar was to facilitate an exchange of ideas between scientists working with statistical and continuum theories, computer simulations and experiments on both static and dynamic behaviour. In describing the solid like behaviour of granular materials, many new ideas on the constitutive relations are introduced in this volume. As an application of the analysis, the mechanism of liquefaction is discussed. Computer simulations have become a vital tool in establishing the micromechanical approaches which otherwise would not be experimentally tested. In numerical simulations and theoretical analyses of rapid granular flow, various modifications on the nature of materials and boundaries are given. Possible applications of the techniques of the stereology and analysis based on geometrical statistics are also included. The papers collected in this volume signify that the promotion of a good understanding of the mechanics of granular materials has been and will continue to be valued in a variety of technical disciplines.

Studies in Applied Mechanics, Volume 7: Mechanics of Granular Materials: New Models and Constitutive Relations provides information pertinent to the fundamental aspects of the mechanics of granular materials. This book presents the theoretical and experimental studies of quasi-static deformations of granular materials. Organized into 30 chapters, this volume begins with an overview of the results on the description of a macroscopic stress measure and measures of the fabric of granular masses that support external loads through frictional contact. This text then introduces some quantities for the macroscopic description of mechanical and graphical characteristics of granular materials. Other chapters consider particle rolling, which appears to be a major microscopic deformation mechanism when interparticle friction is large. This book discusses as well the stress-induced anisotropy of granular materials that have initially strong anisotropic fabric. The final chapter deals with the interpretation of linear instabilities of voidage disturbances in fluidized beds. This book is a valuable resource for scientists, theoreticians, and experimentalists.

This textbook compiles reports written by about 35 internationally recognized authorities, and covers a range of interests for geotechnical engineers. Topics include: fundamentals for mechanics of granular materials; continuum theory of granular materials; and discrete element approaches.

Nearly all solids are compised of grains. However most studies treat materials as a continious solid. The book applies analysis used on loose granular materials to dense grainular materials. This title’s main focus is devoted to static or dynamic loadings applied to dense materials, although rapid flows and widely dispersed media are also mentioned briefly. Three essential areas are covered: Local variable analysis: Contact forces, displacements and rotations, orientation of contacting particles and fabric tensors are all examples of local variables. Their statistical distributions, such as spatial distribution and possible localization, are analyzed, taking into account experimental results or numerical simulations. Change of scales procedures: Also known as “homogenization techniques”, these procedures make it possible to construct continuum laws to be used in a continuum mechanics approach or performing smaller scale analyses. Numerical modeling: Several methods designed to calculate approximate solutions of dynamical equations together with unilateral contact and frictional laws are presented, including molecular dynamics, the distinct element method and non-smooth contact dynamics. Numerical examples are given and the quality of numerical approximations is discussed.

Most industrial and natural materials exhibit a macroscopic behaviour which results from the existence of microscale inhomogeneities. The influence of such inhomogeneities is commonly modelled using probabilistic methods. Most of the approaches to the evaluation of the safety of structures according to probabilistic criteria are somewhat scattered, however, and it is time to present such material in a coherent and up-to-date form. Probabilities and Materials undertakes this task, and also defines the great tasks that must be tackled in coming years. For engineers and researchers dealing with materials, geotechnics, solid mechanics, soil mechanics, statistics and stochastic processes. The expository nature of the book means that no prior knowledge of statistics or probability is required of the reader. The book can thus serve as an excellent introduction to the nature of applied statistics and stochastic modelling.

Granular materials play an important role in many industries. Continuous ingenuity and advancement in these industries necessitates the ability to predict the fundamental behaviour of granular materials under different working environments. With contributions from international experts in the field Granular Materials; Fundamentals and Applications details recent advances made in theoretical computational and experimental approaches in understanding the behaviour of granular materials including industrial applications. Topics covered include: * key features of granular plasticity * high temperature particle interactions * influence of polymers on particulate dispersion stability: scanning probe microscopy investigations * in-process measurement of particulate systems Presented by world renowned researchers this book will be welcomed by scientists and engineers working across a wide spectrum of engineering disciplines.