Extended Load/Unload/Reload Hyperbolic Model for Interfaces: Parameter Values and Model Performance for the Contact Between Concrete and Coarse Sand

The extended hyperbolic model for interfaces developed by Gomez, Filz, and Ebeling Technical Report ITL-99-1 Report 2 can model the response of interfaces subjected to complex stress paths that may include simultaneous changes in shear and normal stresses and unloading-reloading. These types of loading can occur at soil-structure interfaces of multi-anchored systems used in navigation projects. Therefore, it is possible that finite element analyses of multi-anchored systems can be performed that incorporate the extended hyperbolic model for interfaces. Performance of the model is excellent for interfaces between fine sands and concrete. However, the model has not been evaluated against the results of shear tests between coarse sand and concrete. In this investigation, a number of interface tests between coarse sand and concrete were performed. Comparisons were made between the calculated and measured interface response. These comparisons show that the extended hyperbolic model is also accurate for this type of interface and, therefore, that it can be used for a large variety of interfaces between granular soils and concrete.