A straightforward procedure of parameters determination for sand: a bridge from critical state based constitutive modelling to finite element analysis

Numerous advanced constitutive models for granular materials have been proposed involving many parameters. As a result, the determination of parameters becomes an important issue from models to engineering practice. This paper aims to propose a straightforward method for parameters determination from standard laboratory tests. First, a recently developed simple critical state-based sand model is adopted with non-linear critical state line and some key parameters. Based on this model, the derivation of all constitutive equations is made to propose a straightforward procedure for determining parameters. The conventional drained triaxial tests performed on Toyoura sand are selected as example for clarifying and validating the procedure. Furthermore, the model is implemented into a finite element code, and numerical modelling of a series footing and pile penetration tests is performed using the straightforwardly determined parameters. Overall, the proposed procedure is validated as an efficient and reliable bridge from critical state-based constitutive modelling to finite element analysis.