Multiscale modelling of granular materials in boundary value problems accounting for mesoscale mechanisms

The proper solution of geotechnical boundary value problems requires robust constitutive models that can describe the mechanical behavior geomaterials under various loading conditions, while also accounting as closely possible for different material scales interest. This is even more relevant to granular media where complexity behaviour not limited nature contact law between grains, and instead originates from multiplicity contacts oriented along all directions physical space form distinctive mesostructures. paper revisits so-called H-model, which belongs broad family micromechanical approaches whereby an intermediate scale (mesoscale) explicitly introduced into formulation. One great advantage model it be extended by further multi-physical couplings, example presence capillary bridges grains. versatile was implemented within explicit finite difference based computational software (FLAC), present work demonstrates its ability analyze engineering with a microstructural viewpoint, providing new insights in mechanisms failure difficult capture standard phenomenological models.