Cohesive Mohr–Coulomb interface effects on the strength criterion of materials with granular-based microstructure

• We investigate effects of Mohr–Coulomb interfaces on the strength of granular media.
• We carefully develop and implement appropriate non linear homogenization techniques.
• We provide closed-form expressions of the macroscopic strength criterion.
• A transition from an elliptic to a hyperbolic shape of the strength is predicted.
• The identification of the transition depends on the interfacial friction coefficient.

In the framework of micromechanics approaches the aim of this paper is to investigate cohesive Mohr–Coulomb interface effects on the strength criterion of materials with granular-based microstructure. This is achieved by extending the limit stress states to the context of non linear homogenisation. Strength criteria formulation is analytically determined as a function of the material pore volume fraction and the local strength properties of the interfaces. For increasing values of the interfacial internal friction coefficient, a transition from an elliptic to a hyperbolic shape of the strength criterion is identified.