Effects of cross anisotropy on three-dimensional behavior of sand. II: Volume change behavior and failure

The volume change behavior of cross-anisotropic sand is studied using results of a series of cubical triaxial tests. The relationships between the volumetric response, failure, and shear localization are addressed. Rates of dilation under various three-dimensional stress conditions are evaluated in conjunction with the peak shear resistance and initiation of shear banding in specimens of dense Santa Monica beach sand. The location of the line in principal stress space along which the tendency to deform changes from compressive to dilative (the characteristic line) is determined using two different methods. The uniqueness of this characteristic line for cross-anisotropic materials is analyzed.