Discrete Numerical Model for Soil Mechanics

The Distinct Element Method (DEM), a numerical technique which treats soil as a discrete assemblage of particles, can be useful when local yield, bifurcation behavior or nonlinear soil‐structure interaction occurs. A two‐dimensional disk‐based implementation of the DEM is validated using numerical simulations of standard geotechnical laboratory tests, such as one‐dimensional compression, direct simple shear and triaxial tests. These test results indicate that the two‐dimensional DEM can simulate realistic nonlinear, stress history‐dependent soil behavior appropriately when individual particle rotation is inhibited.