Effects of Particle Stiffness on Mechanical Response of Granular Solid Under Confined Compression

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of particle stiffness on the mechanical response between a granular assembly and an acrylic cylinder under confined compression. Variations of wall strain are measured through strain gages at three given heights and used to calculate the relevant stresses through a generalized Hooke's law. Steel spheres and polystyrene spheres are selected to characterize the effects of particle stiffness. Experimental results show that a granular assembly of high-stiffness particles is able to transmit more vertical force, dissipates less energy in the lateral deformation, and causes a smaller frictional effect between particles and wall.