Quantitative evaluation of the effect of irregularly shaped particles in sheared granular assemblies

Assemblies of irregularly shaped particles exhibit higher shear strengths than assemblies of circular particles. We performed a series of 2D discrete element simulations to demonstrate that this particle shape effect is related to the induced moment and the additional dilation at the contacts between particles. We proposed a mechanically based particle shape index that is closely related to such contact behavior. A simple structural model is also investigated to clarify the micromechanical role of the particle shape.