Numerical Simulation of Grain-Scale Failure Modes of MIPC Cemented Particles
摘要
Microbial Induced Calcite Precipitation (MICP) is a bio-based, eco-friendly soil improvement technique that enhances soil stiffness and strength through calcite precipitation during microbial metabolic processes. This process induces inter-particle cementation, providing resistance to particle displacement and breakage while maintaining consistent permeability. However, understanding the failure mechanisms of calcite bonds in MICP-treated soils under external loads remains limited due to the challenges of in-situ measurements. Addressing these gaps is crucial for predicting soil strength reductions. This study proposes a computational tool based on the Material-Point Discrete-Element Method (MP-DEM) to simulate inter-particle failure in MICP-treated soils. Using the Material Point Method (MPM), the tool captures calcite bond failure under tensile loading, while its particle-based discretization efficiently handles post-failure behavior. An anisotropic continuum damage mechanics model simulates calcite’s transition from damage to failure, which is further coupled with the Discrete Element Method (DEM) addresses grain interactions and boundary conditions. The results demonstrate MP-DEM’s capability to reveal calcite failure modes and their correlation with grain-loading patterns, offering valuable insights into the mechanical behavior of MICP- treated soils. This framework advances understanding of soil de-bonding processes, paving the way for improved predictions of MICP-treated soil performance.