a b s t r a c tThe intention of the paper is to check the capability of a discrete element method (DEM) to simulate a pattern of quasi-static shear zones in initially dense sand. Discrete calculations were carried out with a rigid and very rough retaining wall, undergoing passive and active horizontal translation, rotation about the top and rotation about the toe. To simulate the behavior of sand, the three-dimensional spherical discrete model was used allowing for grain rolling resistance. The geometry of calculated shear zones was qualitatively compared with experimental results of laboratory model tests using X-rays and Digital Image Correlation technique (DIC), and quantitatively with finite element results obtained with a micro-polar hypoplastic constitutive model. The results show that a discrete model is able to realistically predict the experimental pattern of shear zones in the sand interior. A satisfactory agreement with experiments and finite element calculations was achieved.

Numerical simulations of the behavior of granular bodies were carried out using a discrete element method. Two boundary value problems were analyzed: triaxial test and a passive translation of a rigid very rough retaining wall. To simulate the behavior of real grains, spheres of a different diameter with contact moments were taken into account..

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