Finite Element Analyses of Two Dimensional Soil Cutting (Part 1)

Based on the Deformation Theory as Elastoplastic Materials

Abstract

A two dimentional soil cutting problem was studied through the finite element method which is based on the deformation theory of plasticity. By a uniaxial compression test the elasto-plastic behavior of soil was examined. According to its behavior the functional relation between the equivalent stress and the equivalent strain was developed. In order to simulate the frictional slide of soil being cut, states of every frictional freedom were determined corresponding to the mechanical state of the frictional node in every iteration. Once a convergent solution was reached in every displacement increment loop, we revised coordinates of connecting nodes. To deal with the gap phenomenon the stiffness of the elemnt in which the maximum main stress was greater than the tension strength of the soil was reduced.
In order to check whether the analysed results were correct, we performed a two dimentional soil cutting test, and we found that analysed cutting resistances roughly conformed to the measured ones.