A 2‐D constitutive model for cyclic interface behaviour

The paper concerns a 2‐D constitutive model for interface behaviour between sand and solid inclusions under cyclic loading. The model is based on the experimental results obtained from laboratory direct shear interface tests conducted under both constant normal load (CNL) and constant normal stiffness (CNS) conditions. The model is formulated in terms of interface stresses and relative velocities and has been derived by extending an elastoplastic isotropic model previously formulated for monotonic loading to stress reversal paths. Such extension consists in adding to the isotropic hardening mechanism a kinematic rotational one defined by an inner conical surface rotating around the origin of the stress space. This allows one to store the memory of the previous stress and relative displacement history giving to the model the capability to analyse the interface behaviour under cyclic loading. After a brief description of the criteria governing the monotonic model, the paper describes in detail the features of the kinematic hardening. Finally, the predictions of the model are compared with the experimental results obtained from CNL and CNS interface tests.