Linking the macro-scale response of granular materials during drained cyclic loading to the evolution of micro-structure, contact network and energy components

Abstract This study has considered the behaviour of granular materials subjected to drained cyclic loading under constant mean effective stress. Using discrete element method, cubical, isotropically compressed samples were 50 cycles at different values stress ( $$p' =$$ p ′ = 100, 200, 300 kPa) and amplitudes $$\zeta ζ 5%, 10% 20% $$p'$$ ). At low cycle numbers, deformation mechanism is controlled by contractive volumetric strains, before transitioning ratcheting regime, characterised persistent accumulation plastic strains. An energy/work analysis showed that work per decreased as hysteresis loops tighten. During ratcheting, most boundary was dissipated contact sliding. The mechanical response $$\zeta$$ , with little no influence . For = 5\%$$ 5 % deformations confined elastic range, increase in secant stiffness $$G_{sec}$$ G sec or shear strength after loading. 10\%$$ 10 increased loading, although significant expansion yield surfaces observed. largest amplitude 20\%$$ 20 ) induced yielding cycles, leading changes fabric, volume samples, a micro-scale, graph theory used quantify evolution network. After $$\sim 20$$ ∼ network reached steady-state but topology material, retained between cycles.