Stress distributions in a two dimensional granular material
Abstract
We have experimentally studied the distribution of stress within a two-dimensional granular material, composed of photoelastic optical fibers of uniform size, contained in a biaxial shear cell. In this material as in other granular materials, stress is concentrated along branching chains of stressed grains. These stress chains determining when the material will be rigid and when it will fail. Defects in the grain packing occur when the load is changed on the biaxial shear cell, and these defects largely determine the locations and orientations of the stress chains.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Geotechnical and Geomechanical Engineering
Landslides and related hazards
Rock Mechanics and Modeling
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Powder and Grains 97
- Publisher
- CRC Press
- Pages
- 345–348
- Publication date
- 19 February 2026
- Language
- EN
- Document type
- Book chapter