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MS-51 Constitutive and Numerical Modelling in Geotechnics and Granular Dynamics

Marti Lloret-Cabot, Durham University
Tim Charlton, Durham University
Ashraf Osman, Durham University
Kit Windows-Yule, The University of Birmingham
Tony Rosato, New Jersey Institute of Technology
Kia Taghizadeh, University of Twente
Mahdia Hattab, Universite de Lorraine

This mini-symposium aims to attract contributions on the use of numerical methods in geotechnical engineering including the development and application of both novel and established numerical techniques. Computational modelling is an increasingly useful tool in the analysis of geotechnical engineering problems. Many of these problems include soils which exhibit complex behaviour including, but not limited to, coupled hydro-mechanical processes occurring at multiple scales and involving fully or partially saturated conditions. Some computational modelling approaches that might be used in these situations include continuum, discrete and mixed formulations, for example the Finite Element Method (FEM), eXtended Finite Element Method (XFEM), the Discrete Element Method (DEM) and the Material Point Method (MPM). Also of interest is the development and implementation of advanced constitutive models which are able to more accurately capture the behaviour of geomaterials as well as their use with ‘in-house’ or commercial software.

Submissions addressing the development of numerical methods for these areas are particularly encouraged, especially when applying them in practice to solve geotechnical problems of interest such as analysis of slopes, embankments and foundations. The objective of the mini-symposium is to provide a forum for the sharing and exchanging of ideas on advances and capabilities of these numerical approaches.

Topics of Interest Include:

  • Constitutive modelling of geomaterials
  • Numerical modelling of unsaturated soils
  • Thermo-Hydro-Mechanical coupling in porous materials
  • Multi-scale modelling of soils
  • Application of computational methods in geotechnical engineering