Experimental Micromechanics of Geomaterials Through Computer Visualization

Abstract : The objective of the research program was development of computer vision techniques for experimental soil micromechanic and for characterization of soils, both in the laboratory and in-situ. for micromechanics research, a particle tracking system consisting of state-of-the-art hardware and developed software tools, was assembled for monitoring the kinematics of particulate assemblies undergoing large strain deformations and flow. The utility if this system, the testing methodologies and the suite of developed applications: flow of soil through an orifice at the base of a container; the plowing of soil off of plain strain embankment and the development of shear bands in soil around an advancing ribbed inclusion. The major demonstrated use for this system was in verification of discrete element models with particular focus on the development of strain localization and shear banding.