What does this research mean for the field?

Granular materials subjected to repeated thermal cycling consistently reach a stabilized structural state through plastic shakedown, regardless of boundary conditions, stress state, or material properties. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.NOVEL_FINDING. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

Determine whether granular materials deform indefinitely or stabilize into an equilibrium state through particle rearrangement when subjected to cyclic thermal loading.

September 8, 2026International Journal for Numerical and Analytical Methods in GeomechanicsOpen Access

Rearrangement Towards Stability: Plastic Shakedown in Granular Materials Under Thermal Cycles

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Authors

NMN. MehraeenNorthwest University ALAlessandro F. Rotta LoriaNorthwestern University

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Implication

Discrete element modeling reveals granular materials reach structural stabilization via plastic shakedown under thermal cycles, suggesting universal stability independent of boundary conditions.

Key Points

Determine whether granular materials deform indefinitely or stabilize into an equilibrium state through particle rearrangement when subjected to cyclic thermal loading.
Conducted large-scale discrete element simulations under both isotropic and laterally restrained (oedometric) boundary conditions.
Evaluated the impact of temperature amplitude, mean effective stress, initial relative density, Young's modulus, interparticle friction, particle thermal expansion, and particle size distribution.
Demonstrated that granular materials consistently transition to a stabilized structural state through plastic shakedown following a sufficient number of thermal cycles.
Confirmed that structural stabilization occurs universally regardless of boundary conditions, stress states, or tested material properties.

Cite This Study

Mehraeen et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a9fd82f58e84d0ff5b4777d https://doi.org/10.1002/nag.70428

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Implication

Discrete element modeling reveals granular materials reach structural stabilization via plastic shakedown under thermal cycles, suggesting universal stability independent of boundary conditions.

Rearrangement Towards Stability: Plastic Shakedown in Granular Materials Under Thermal Cycles

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Rearrangement Towards Stability: Plastic Shakedown in Granular Materials Under Thermal Cycles

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

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