Microscopic Study of Factors Affecting Liquefaction Strength during Anisotropic Consolidation

Abstract This article presents a method for simulating hollow torsional shear tests using the discrete element method. The undrained and stress conditions observed in laboratory experiments were reproduced with the proposed method. The specimens with anisotropic stress conditions (K 0 ≠ 1.0) exhibited lower liquefaction strength than that of isotropically consolidated specimens (K 0 =1.0). The lower coordination number observed in anisotropic states could contribute to the reduction in liquefaction strength. The different morphologies of contact density might also potentially account for differences in macroscopic behaviors, such as the liquefaction strength.