Shear behavior of soft filling in intact model using particle flow code

In this paper, Shear behavior of soft filling in intact model has been investigated using particle flow code (PFC2D). Firstly, calibration of PF2D was performed to reproduce the concrete sample. Uniaxial strength of concrete was 37.2 MPa. Then, numerical models with dimension of 100 mmx100 mm were prepared. One, two and three rectangular filling were situated at the middle of the model. Dimension of filling were 2.5 mmx5 mm, 2.5 mmx10 mm and 2.5 mmx15 mm were prepared. The fillings were calibrated by parallel bond to reproduce the gypsum samples. Uniaxial strength of gypsum was 7.2 MPa. Totally 9 models were prepared. The shear test condition was added to the models. The normal load was fixed at 3 MPa (oc/3) and shear load was applied to model till failure occurred. The results show that, the filling was failure under normal loading. The tensile crack occurred in filling. Also shear cracks initiates at tip of the model and propagates parallel to shear loading axis till calescence to the filling. The shear strength and maximum shear displacement increase with increasing the dimension and number of fillings.