Statistical homogenization for assemblies of elliptical grains: effect of the aspect ratio and particle orientation

A statistical homogenization approach is used to determine the global behavior of granular assemblies of elliptical particles with a wide range of eccentricities. A first step is to define the statistical variables to use in the description of the granular arrangement and the evolution of their distribution with the particle aspect ratio and the sample creation procedure. This part is analysed through numerical simulations using the DEM code PFC2D. Biaxial compression tests also provide the elastic characteristics of the different assemblies. Then the two proposed homogenization schemes can be applied (taking into account the conclusions of the numerical simulations) and their results compared with the DEM results. They proved to be strongly dependant on the distributions of the statistical variables and their correlation (for anisotropic initial arrangements particularly). (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.