A random solid-porous model to simulate the retention curves of soils

作者：Horta Jaime; Rojas Eduardo^*; Perez Rea Maria L; Lopez Teresa; Zaragoza Juan B

来源：International Journal for Numerical and Analytical Methods in Geomechanics, 2013, 37(8): 932-944.

DOI：10.1002/nag.1133

• random
• porous model
• retention curves
• unsaturated soils

This paper describes a random solid-porous model capable of simulating the structure of porous materials. To this purpose, the grain and pore size distributions as well as the void ratio of the material are required. Solids and pores are distributed at random in the model's space according to a size strategy. Herein, the model is used to simulate the retention curves of soils. The Laplace equation is used to determine the size of the pores able to saturate or dry during a wetting or drying process, respectively. The continuous path principle is used to define those elements that effectively saturate or dry during these processes. With this procedure, it is possible to simulate the main retention curves as well as the scanning curves during wettingdrying cycles. Some experimental results reported in the international literature have been used to test the model. This model can be enhanced to study the mechanical behavior of unsaturated soils.

• 出版日期2013-6-10