Accuracy versus simplicity of anisotropic clay models

Abstract

This paper explores the simulative capabilities of a family of simple anisotropic clay models collectively named SANICLAY models. For this purpose, the paper highlights how specific constitutive ingredients provide accuracy in simulating undrained and drained triaxial data, without loss of simplicity (e.g without introducing large numbers of difficult to calibrate model constants). The nature of the discussed governing equations and the concepts used for simulation may be incorporated into a large number of existing constitutive models, which do not necessarily belong to the SANICLAY family. Hence, the conclusions of the paper have generic value and may be used as a guide to researchers for model development, and to practitioners for selecting (and calibrating) appropriate models for the boundary value problem at hand. © 2014 Taylor & Francis Group.