The distinct element method is used to simulate the behaviour of an interface between a particulate medium and a rigid plate. The distributions of normal and shear stresses acting on the contact surface are determined. The patterns of particle movements in the shear box are established. The formation of a shear band next to the contact surface is examined. The effects of several parameters on the behaviour of the interface are evaluated.
A direct shear type interface test is commonly used to determine the deformation and shear strength parameters of interfaces between construction materials and particulate media such as crushed ice and granular soils. It is known that the state of stress in the direct shear type interface tests is not uniform (Boulon & Hassan, 1993). In engineering practice, the average values of the shear stress and normal stress are used to present the interface test data. The strength parameters such as the friction angle and adhesion (in the case of interfaces between cohesive materials and construction materials) are determined from the average peak or residual strength values. Subsequently, these parameters are used in the design of various engineering projects such as offshore structures, pipelines, deep foundations, retaining walls, etc. In addition to non-uniform stresses, a shear band forms and the localization of displacements takes place in the particulate medium (Uesugi et al, 1988; 1990). In order to understand the interaction between particulate media and a rigid plate, it would be necessary to determine how the particles move and interact with each other both in the interior of the sample and next to the contact surface in an interface test. Naturally, the mechanical and physical properties of the particles play an important role in the behaviour of both the particulate medium and its interface with construction materials.
