Preisach model used to describe response of clay in direct shear test

Abstract

Mathematical modeling of engineering materials is important issue in design of structures. Model itself should satisfy two conditions: first to explain in the best way mechanical behavior of material and second to be as simple as possible for easy everyday application in engineering. In the present paper the Preisach model is applied to behaviour of clay as an elasto-plastic material under direct shear test. The clay sample was taken by exploratory drilling on the territory of Šimanovci from a depth of 9.1 m to 9.3 m. First, an experimental examination of a clay sample was performed in order to classify and determine the resistance-deformable characteristics. The clay is classified as CH-clay of high plasticity. The sample was then subjected to direct shear test. All obtained results clearly show advantages of the Preisach model for describing behavior of elasto plastic material. This analytical model allows an accurate computation of all points on the result curve from the direct shear test.