Simulation of shear bands with Soft PARticle Code (SPARC) and FE

The aim of this paper is to numerically investigate the development, thickness and orientation of shear bands, in biaxial test with two approaches towards solving problems of continuum mechanics, namely the meshless “Soft PARticle” method and the mesh based Finite Element method. Soft PArticle Code (SPARC) is a straightforward collocation numerical method based on strong formulation, in which a first order polynomial basis is adopted for the evaluation of spatial derivatives in partial differential equations. A novel nonlinear constitutive model— barodesy for clay, is adopted in this study. The biaxial test, which involves homogeneous, and later inhomogeneous localized deformation is simulated using the Soft PArticle Code and the Finite Element method. The inclination and thickness of the shear bands are evaluated and analysed with the earlier experimental, theoretical and numerical investigations. Furthermore, simulation results are compared and presented to demonstrate the advantages and limitations of SPARC in comparison to FE method.