The frictional collapse of an assembly of equisized spheres is studied by a discrete element model. The macroscopic constitutive response is determined as a function of the level of Coulomb friction between particles. It is found that the level of Coulomb friction has a strong effect upon the relative proportion of sliding and rolling between particles, and consequently upon the macroscopic strength of the granular assembly. The discrete element predictions are shown to be in good agreement with experimental results obtained from triaxial tests on an aggregate of steel spheres. It is demonstrated that the shape of the collapse surface can be adequately represented by the Lade-Duncan continuum model.
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