K0 test and particle flow simulation of coral sands with different gradations

This paper performs a series of laboratory static lateral pressure coefficient (K0) tests on coral sands with five typical gradations in dry and saturated states via water bladder type lateral pressure apparatus to investigate their ranges of K0 values. The results reveal that the K0 values of coral...

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Main Authors: Ruiyuan Zhang, Yongtao Zhang, Peishuai Chen, Fuquan Ji, Huiwu Luo, Yu Zhong
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-07-01
Series:Frontiers in Earth Science
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feart.2025.1644997/full
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author Ruiyuan Zhang
Yongtao Zhang
Peishuai Chen
Fuquan Ji
Huiwu Luo
Yu Zhong
Yu Zhong
author_facet Ruiyuan Zhang
Yongtao Zhang
Peishuai Chen
Fuquan Ji
Huiwu Luo
Yu Zhong
Yu Zhong
author_sort Ruiyuan Zhang
collection DOAJ
description This paper performs a series of laboratory static lateral pressure coefficient (K0) tests on coral sands with five typical gradations in dry and saturated states via water bladder type lateral pressure apparatus to investigate their ranges of K0 values. The results reveal that the K0 values of coral sands in dry and saturated states range from 0.22 to 0.32 and 0.27 to 0.33, respectively, and that there is an exponential function relationship between the particle gradation and the K0. On this basis, a discrete element model is established with the aid of particle flow code (PFC), and the numerical simulation and laboratory test are in good agreement. The displacement field of coral sand with a narrower gradation is revealed to be more prone to exhibit a horizontally stratified compression feature at the meso-scale. The coral sand with a wider gradation exhibits a more obvious gradient distribution of internal contact forces with more uniform directional distribution and better compaction. The K0 decreases and then stabilizes with increasing particle bonding strength, and the evolution law between them conforms to the exponential function form. A theoretical calculation formula of K0 for coral sand based on the distribution coefficient is further proposed according to the laboratory test results. The research results of this paper can provide parameter support for construction and design of wharf retaining structures on islands and reefs.
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publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
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spelling doaj-art-7ecbc5111a6348daad92cb2c5bf7198e2025-08-20T02:46:23ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Earth Science2296-64632025-07-011310.3389/feart.2025.16449971644997K0 test and particle flow simulation of coral sands with different gradationsRuiyuan Zhang0Yongtao Zhang1Peishuai Chen2Fuquan Ji3Huiwu Luo4Yu Zhong5Yu Zhong6CCCC Second Harbor Engineering Company Ltd., Wuhan, ChinaCCCC Second Harbor Engineering Company Ltd., Wuhan, ChinaCCCC Second Harbor Engineering Company Ltd., Wuhan, ChinaCCCC Second Harbor Engineering Company Ltd., Wuhan, ChinaCCCC Second Harbor Engineering Company Ltd., Wuhan, ChinaCCCC Second Harbor Engineering Company Ltd., Wuhan, ChinaSchool of Civil and Architectural Engineering, Wuhan University, Wuhan, ChinaThis paper performs a series of laboratory static lateral pressure coefficient (K0) tests on coral sands with five typical gradations in dry and saturated states via water bladder type lateral pressure apparatus to investigate their ranges of K0 values. The results reveal that the K0 values of coral sands in dry and saturated states range from 0.22 to 0.32 and 0.27 to 0.33, respectively, and that there is an exponential function relationship between the particle gradation and the K0. On this basis, a discrete element model is established with the aid of particle flow code (PFC), and the numerical simulation and laboratory test are in good agreement. The displacement field of coral sand with a narrower gradation is revealed to be more prone to exhibit a horizontally stratified compression feature at the meso-scale. The coral sand with a wider gradation exhibits a more obvious gradient distribution of internal contact forces with more uniform directional distribution and better compaction. The K0 decreases and then stabilizes with increasing particle bonding strength, and the evolution law between them conforms to the exponential function form. A theoretical calculation formula of K0 for coral sand based on the distribution coefficient is further proposed according to the laboratory test results. The research results of this paper can provide parameter support for construction and design of wharf retaining structures on islands and reefs.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feart.2025.1644997/fullroad engineeringstatic lateral pressure coefficientlaboratory testscoral sandparticle flow codecalculation formula of K0
spellingShingle Ruiyuan Zhang
Yongtao Zhang
Peishuai Chen
Fuquan Ji
Huiwu Luo
Yu Zhong
Yu Zhong
K0 test and particle flow simulation of coral sands with different gradations
Frontiers in Earth Science
road engineering
static lateral pressure coefficient
laboratory tests
coral sand
particle flow code
calculation formula of K0
title K0 test and particle flow simulation of coral sands with different gradations
title_full K0 test and particle flow simulation of coral sands with different gradations
title_fullStr K0 test and particle flow simulation of coral sands with different gradations
title_full_unstemmed K0 test and particle flow simulation of coral sands with different gradations
title_short K0 test and particle flow simulation of coral sands with different gradations
title_sort k0 test and particle flow simulation of coral sands with different gradations
topic road engineering
static lateral pressure coefficient
laboratory tests
coral sand
particle flow code
calculation formula of K0
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feart.2025.1644997/full
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AT fuquanji k0testandparticleflowsimulationofcoralsandswithdifferentgradations
AT huiwuluo k0testandparticleflowsimulationofcoralsandswithdifferentgradations
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