Techno Press
Techno Press

Geomechanics and Engineering
  Volume 42, Number 6, September25 2025 , pages 453-462
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12989/gae.2025.42.6.453
 


Long-term response of granular materials subjected to repetitive mechanical loads: Engineering implications
Wonjun Cha, Sang Yeob Kim, Young Chan Kim and Junghee Park

 
Abstract
    This study investigates the long-term response of granular materials subjected to repetitive mechanical loads through integrated experimental and numerical approaches. Repetitive Ko-loading tests, triaxial tests, and simple shear tests reveal two critical asymptotic states governing system behavior: (1) a terminal void ratio controlling volumetric stabilization, and (2) stressobliquity- dependent shear modes transitioning between shakedown and ratcheting. Results demonstrate that repetitive loading alters the coefficient of earth pressure through fabric evolution, quantified via shear wave velocity-stress relationships. Granular degradation analyses show particle abrasion dominates at low-stress/high-cycle conditions, while fines content critically influences deformation response through threshold fines fractions. A new dimensionless shear stress ratio successfully predicts long-term shear response between shakedown and ratcheting. Hybrid numerical modeling combining conventional constitutive model with empirical strain accumulation reduces computational errors and enhance convergency to conventional methods for high-cycle simulations.
 
Key Words
    energy geosystems; ratcheting; repetitive mechanical loads; shakedown; terminal void ratio
 
Address
Wonjun Cha: Department of Civil Engineering, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
Sang Yeob Kim: Department of Fire and Disaster Prevention, Konkuk University,
268, Chungwon-daero, Chungju, 27478, Republic of Korea
Chan Kim and Junghee Park: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Incheon National University,
119 Academy-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 22012, Republic of Korea
 

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