Abstract
This study utilizes recent advances in image analysis techniques to conduct detailed multiscale shape analysis of four granular materials. In addition, X-ray analysis was used to measure the chemical composition of these granular materials. The shape and chemical composition results were used to investigate the factors influencing the shear deformation of granular materials tested using the direct shear device. The analysis involved determining the different energy components influencing the shear deformation of granular materials.
The results show that the granular material angularity and texture are two different distinct properties that can be quantified accurately using the methods proposed in this paper. Texture influences the material “true” friction,” while angularity mostly affects the dilative behavior of the materials. The results also show that the energy dissipated in particle rearrangement is an important factor that should be considered in the analysis of shear deformation of granular materials. This dissipated energy increases with an increase in material angularity and a decrease in confinement. A relationship between the various components of the angle of internal friction and stress confinement is proposed in this study.
