Experimental analysis of cyclic loading on a cohesionless granular system

The cyclic loading mechanical response of dense granular materials under biaxial compressions was experimentally investigated. Ratcheting occurred and evolved throughout the experiment. The results suggest that permanent displacement primarily occurs during the first cycle; the generation of ratcheting is principally driven by the occurrence of stick–slip events and the changes in porosity. In different cycles, the occurrence of stick–slip events obeys the power law relationship, and the change in porosity tends to approach a homogenous state. Simultaneously, the magnitude of the initial force plays an important role for increasing ratcheting in granular system.