A strain hardening model for the stress-path-dependent shear behavior of rockfills

Laboratory investigation reveals that rockfills exhibit significant stress-path-dependent behavior during shearing, therefore realistic prediction of deformation of rockfill structures requires suitable constitutive models to properly reproduce such behavior. This paper evaluates the capability of a strain hardening model proposed by the authors, by comparing simulation results with large-scale triaxial stress-path test results. Despite of its simplicity, the model can simulate essential aspects of the shear behavior of rockfills, including the non-linear stress-strain relationship, the stress-dependence of the stiffness, the non-linear strength behavior, and the shearing contraction and dilatancy. More importantly, the model is shown to predict the markedly different stress-strain and volumetric behavior along various loading paths with fair accuracy. All parameters required for the model can be derived entirely from the results of conventional large triaxial tests with constant confining pressures.