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Basic Data

The following material parameters are required for all material models.

Unit weight γ - the unit weight of a dry soil (soil above the groundwater table, GWT) is assumed. The unit weight of a soil below the GWT is calculated from other parameters introduced in section "Uplift".

Modulus of elasticity E

The modulus of elasticity describes the material stiffness that is assumed constant over the entire load interval. In case of soils this assumption is, however, valid only for a very narrow interval of recoverable deformations. Modulus of elasticity E has no significant effect on soil behavior for nonlinear models after satisfying plasticity condition.

A straightforward answer to what definition and what value of this material parameter (initial, tangent, secant) one should use in a given material model is, unfortunately, not available. To select a given type of modulus one needs know the soil behavior in the analyzed geotechnical task and to assign a particular magnitude the results from a triaxial test for corresponding stress paths are necessary. Nevertheless, certain recommendations can be provided.

Distribution of idealized stress-strain curve and determination of individual types of soil modules

The following interpretation of Young’s modulus E of elasticity is available:

• instantaneous modulus E₀ in case of small loads (assumption o linear dependence of strain and stress) or when instantaneous settlement is calculated
• secant modulus E₅₀  is determined for a reference stress equal to 50% of stress at the onset of failure (used for example when analyzing spread foundations and settlement of pile foundations)
• deformation modulus E_def is determined from a stress-strain curve derived experimentally. This modulus is required when using the modified elastic model, which it assumes different behavior for load and unloading. Using this modulus when solving the problem of soil unloading (e.g., underground structures, heaving of bottom a foundation ditch) leads to larger deformations than when using the elastic modulus E_ur determined from unloading branch r of the stress-strain curve. Determining of deformation modulus of soil is applicable by following approximate relation:

• oedometric modulus E_oed which depends on the level of stress in the soil should be used depending on the expected range of stress in the soil may experience. The relation between E_def and E_oed is provided by:

• modulus of elasticity E_ur determined from the unloading branch of stress-strain curve is used when solving the problem of soil unloading (excavations) - must be defined when using the modified elastic model

The values of modules of elasticity should be determined, if possible, from a triaxial shear test. If other methods (penetration tests, pressuremeter tests etc.) are used then it becomes necessary to introduce some correlation coefficients are described in literature.

For actual modeling we recommend to perform an analysis according to the elastic material model at first and check the resulting strain field - such strains according to Hookes’s law are linearly dependent on the applied load and the used elastic modulus. If the resulting strains (displacements) are already too large the user should reassess the magnitude of the originally applied elastic modulus.

Poisson's ratio ν - coefficient of transverse contraction is in case elastic homogeneous material loaded by normal stress in one direction given by:

The Poisson's ratio is relatively easy to determine. To select its value one may take advantage of the built-in soil database. If small loads are assumed and the instantaneous modulus E₀ is used, then also the value of the Poisson's ratio ν₀ determined for the initial loading should be employed.