Anisotropy and lack of symmetry for a random aggregate of frictionless, elastic particles: theory and numerical simulations

L. La Ragione (1) , L. Oger , G. Recchia (2) , A. Sollazzo (1)

1 Dipartimento di Scienze de l'Ingegneria Civile e Architettura
2 Dipartimento di Meccanica, Matematica e Management

We consider a random aggregate of identical, frictionless spheres whose contact is maintained by an applied pressure. The aggregate is then subjected to an axial compression at fixed pressure. We show that the incremental elastic response of the resulting transversely isotropic material is characterized by six rather than by five independent coefficients and that the stiffness tensor does not have the major symmetry. This is because we permit deviations from an affine deformation that are determined by local equilibrium, when anisotropy is present. Discrete element numerical simulations confirm these findings.

Mots clés: milieux granulaires; compression; anisotropie

Domaines: Systèmes désordonnés et réseaux de neurones [cond-mat.dis-nn]; Mécanique des solides [physics.class-ph]

L. La Ragione, L. Oger, G. Recchia, A. Sollazzo. Anisotropy and lack of symmetry for a random aggregate of frictionless, elastic particles: theory and numerical simulations. Proceedings of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences, 2015, 471 (2183), pp.20150013. ⟨10.1098/rspa.2015.0013⟩. ⟨hal-01223486⟩