Attempt of accurate modelling for cone penetration resistance obtained from particulate media

This study was done to improve the accuracy of DEM (Discrete Element Method) by using simple cone penetration experiments on particulate soil models, such as alumina balls whose diameter were 3,4 and 5 mm. Moreover, dry Toyoura sand was also used as a reference media for real cone penetration experiments. In the experiments, the particulate media were prepared in a soil box with controlled porosity preparation. In the analysis, 3D DEM was applied with a linear contact reaction model and the diameters of DE were set equal with the particulate media. For simplicity, we investigated the effect of parameters, such as inter-particle friction coefficients, on the cone penetration resistance in 3D DEM. As a result, it became clear that cone penetration resistance may sufficiently be expressed with some proper combination of DEM parameters. However, the behaviour of real sand could not be obtained by 3D DEM in terms of the penetration resistance and of the porosity which would be one of the dominant factors in describing sand behaviour.