Modeling cyclic behavior of clay by micromechanical approach

Although stress-strain models for the cyclic behavior of clay have been studied extensively, the models have not been examined from the point of view of the intercluster contact level. In the current paper, we extend the recently developed micromechanical approach to model the cyclic behavior of clay.Undrained triaxial tests under one-way and two-way cyclic loadings on normally consolidated and overconsolidated clay are simulated to evaluate the applicability of the approach. The computed evolution of local stresses and local strains at intercluster scale due to externally applied cyclic loads are also discussed. © 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers.