UH model for granular soils considering low confining pressure

The mechanical behaviors including strength and isotropic compression of granular soils under low confining pressure are systematically analyzed. The compressive hardening parameter p_s is introduced in semi-logarithmic coordinates to express the curved normal compression line of granular soils in the e-ln p plane, to describe the little compressibility of granular soils under low confining pressure. The nonlinear variation of critical friction angle with confining pressure is considered by introducing the interlocking strength parameter τ₀ into strength criteria. Based on the unified hardening model for clays and sands (CSUH model), the unified hardening (UH model) for granular soils considering low confining pressure, called UH-L model, is established. The UH-L model behaves significantly different with the CSUH model under low confining pressure, while tends to be same as the CSUH model with increasing confining pressure. The relationship between parameter p_s and τ₀cotφ, as well as the effect of p_s and τ₀cotφ on model performance are analyzed. Good agreement with the experimental data shows that the UH-L model is capable of uniformly describing the stress–strain relations and strength of granular soils with interparticle locking over a wide confining pressure load range, especially at low confining pressure.