Discrete Element Analysis of the K0 of Granular Soil and Its Relation to Small Strain Shear Stiffness

The discrete element method (DEM) was used to investigate the coefficient of earth pressure at rest, K-0, of granular soils. The results indicate that K-0 decreases as the void ratio decreases and the vertical stress increases. The K-0 of specimens prepared by different methods may be quite different despite the void ratio and vertical stress being the same. The analysis reveals that at a particulate level, the coordination number of the soil determines the K-0. Both DEM simulation and laboratory data indicate that there is a good relationship between the K-0 and the small strain shear stiffness.