Mohr-Coulomb Model

Short Course on Computational Geotechnics + Dynamics

Boulder, Colorado
January 5-8, 2004

Stein Sture
Professor of Civil Engineering
University of Colorado at Boulder
Contents
Idealized and Real Stress-Strain Behavior of Soils
Basic Concepts of Mohr-Coulomb Model
Mohr-Coulomb Model Modeling
Friction Angle
Influence of Intermediate Principal Stress on
Friction Angle
Drained Simple Shear Test
How to Understand
Drained Triaxial Test

Computational Geotechnics Mohr-Coulomb Model
Idealized and Real Stress-Strain
Behavior of Soils
Computational Geotechnics Mohr-Coulomb Model
Basic Concepts of Mohr-
Coulomb Model
Bilinear approximation of triaxial test
Basic law:

for
reversible elastic strain
irreversible plastic strain
f = yield function

c
i
=c
i
e
+c
i
p

i = x, y,etc.

c
i
e
=

c
i
p
=

c
i
p
-
= 0

f < 0

f = f (o
x
,o
y
,o
z
,o
xy
,o
yz
,o
zx
)
Computational Geotechnics Mohr-Coulomb Model
Mohr-Coulomb Soil Modeling
Computational Geotechnics Mohr-Coulomb Model
Mohr-Coulomb Soil Modeling
Flow rule for plastic strain:

This means: , , etc.

c
i
p
-
=
cg
co
i

c
x
p
-
=
cg
co
x

c
y
p
-
=
cg
co
y
Computational Geotechnics Mohr-Coulomb Model
Mohr-Coulomb Soil Modeling
a multiplier that determines the
magnitude of plastic strains


determines the direction of plastic
strains
Classical associated plasticity: g = f
General non-associated plasticity: g = f
M-C model: f r s sin| c cos| : yield function
g r s sin c cos : plastic potential function

=

cg
co
i
Computational Geotechnics Mohr-Coulomb Model
Mohr-Coulomb Soil Modeling
Nonlinear Failure Envelope Representation
Computational Geotechnics Mohr-Coulomb Model
Mohr-Coulomb Soil Modeling
Friction Angle Definitions
Computational Geotechnics Mohr-Coulomb Model
Mohr-Coulomb Soil Modeling
Strength Envelopes for a Range of Soil Types
Computational Geotechnics Mohr-Coulomb Model
Mohr-Coulomb Soil Modeling
Versus Relative Density and Unit Weight

|
tc
Computational Geotechnics Mohr-Coulomb Model
Friction Angle
Dilatancy Angle Relationships
Computational Geotechnics Mohr-Coulomb Model
A|
1
= Correction for particle shape
A|
1
= -6
o
For high sphericity and subrounded shape
A|
1
= +2
o
For low sphericity and angular shape
A|
2
= Correction for particle size (effective size, d
10
)
A|
2
= -11
o
For d
10
> 2.0 mm (gravel)
A|
2
= -9
o
For 2.0 > d
10
>0.6 mm (coarse sand)
A|
2
= -4
o
For 0.6 > d
10
>0.2 mm (medium sand)
A|
2
= 0 For 0.2 > d
10
>0.06 mm (fine sand)
A|
3
= Correction for graduation (uniformity coefficient, C
u
)
A|
3
= -2
o
For C
u
> 2.0 (well-graded)
A|
3
= -1
o
For C
u
= 2.0 (medium graded)
A|
3
= 0 For C
u
< 2.0 (poorly graded)
A|
4
= Correction for relative density (D
r
)
A|
4
= -1
o
For 0 < D
r
<0.5 (loose)
A|
4
= 0 For 0.5 < D
r
< 0.75 (intermediate)
A|
4
= +4
o
For 0.75 < D
r
< 1.00 (dense)
A|
5
= Correction for type of mineral
A|
5
= 0 For quartz
A|
5
= +4
o
For feldspar, calcite, chlorite
A|
5
= +6
o
For muscovite mica

|
tc
= 36
o
+ A|
1
+ A|
2
+ A|
3
+ A|
4
+ A|
5
in which:
Computational Geotechnics Mohr-Coulomb Model

|
cv

|
max
=|
cv
+0.8
for NC Clays vs. PI
Computational Geotechnics Mohr-Coulomb Model
Influence of Intermediate Principal Stress on
Friction Angle



Introduction:
Models and soil
mechanics


Special conditions Name of test Diagram


c b a
o o o = =


True triaxial



r c b
o o o = =


Cylindrical compression
The triaxial test



0 =
b
c


Plane strain or biaxial



0 =
b
o


Plane stress



0 = = =
r c b
c c c


One-dimensional compression
The oedometer test



0 = = =
r c b
o o o


Uniaxial compression or
Unconfined compression



0 = = =
c b a
o o o


Isotropic compression


Computational Geotechnics Mohr-Coulomb Model
Influence of Intermediate Principal Stress on
Friction Angle
Computational Geotechnics Mohr-Coulomb Model
Drained Simple Shear Test
Computational Geotechnics Mohr-Coulomb Model
How to Understand
| = + |
i
or = | - |
i

|
i
= inter particle angle of friction
quartz sand: ~ | 30
o

Computational Geotechnics Mohr-Coulomb Model
Drained Triaxial Test

c
v
=c
x
+c
y
+c
z
= 2c
x
+c
y

tano =
2sin
1sin
(identical to biaxial test)
Computational Geotechnics Mohr-Coulomb Model