Abstract

The mechanical behavior of granular materials is characterized by strong non-linearity and irreversibility. These properties have been described by a variety of constitutive models, a large proportion of them are developed within an elasto-plastic framework. On top of the usual [...]

Abstract

Roughly speaking, granular media exhibit three basic scales: the specimen scale, the contact scale, and an intermediate scale made up of a set of adjoining particles. In this lecture, we will discuss this latter scale, in a two dimensional context. More specifically, the granular [...]

Abstract

When we think of materials “by design”, we are envisioning a process that gets us from a design target, namely certain desired overall materials properties, to requirements for the constituent components. This is challenging because it requires us to invert the typical [...]

Abstract

Earthquakes can be really destructive. There is no doubt. Recent seismic events have demonstrated the important effects on structures, and especially on bridges. In this sense, cable-stayed bridges are not an exception, although their seismic performance during recent events has [...]

Abstract

In this paper a simple iterative method is presented for finite element solution of incompressible plane strain problems using linear elements. Instead of using a mixed formulation approach, we use an equivalent displacement/velocity approach in an iterative manner. Control volumes [...]

Abstract

The trading and investment decision processes in financial markets becomes ever more dependent on the use of valuation and risk models. In certain, cases such as risk management, modelling practice has become so homogeneous that one is led to ask about the effect this has on the [...]

Abstract

In the last two decades there has been a great development of high-speed train lines. This advance has led to more demanding loads in railway infrastructures and the appearance of a new problem called ballast flight that happens when some [...]

Abstract

The development of high-speed train lines has increased significantly during the last twenty-five years, leading to more demanding loads in railway infrastructures. Most of these infrastructures were constructed using railway ballast, which is a layer of granular material placed [...]

Abstract

Tuned mass dampers, consisting of a mass, spring, and damper, are widely used for vibration suppression in structures. Despite being small and lightweight, these dampers exhibit excellent damping effectiveness. However, there are issues such as performance degradation due to the [...]

Abstract

Micromechanical modelling based on the Discrete Element Method (DEM) has been widely used to investigate asphalt behaviour due to its ability to represent an irregular microstructure with variable-sized aggregates, bitumen and voids. The 3D rigid particle models with randomly distributed [...]