An improved SPH method for saturated soils and its application to investigate the mechanisms of embankment failure: Case of hydrostatic pore‐water pressure

摘要: SUMMARY The method of smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) has recently been applied to computational geomechanics and shown be a powerful alternative the standard numerical method, that is, finite element for handling large deformation post-failure geomaterials. However, very few studies apply SPH model saturated or submerged soil problems. Our recent this matter revealed significant errors may made if gradient pore-water pressure is handled using formulation. To overcome problem enhance applications geomechanics, article proposes general formulation, which can straightforwardly dry soils. For simplicity, current work assumes hydrostatic pressure. It proposed formulation remove error mentioned earlier. Moreover, automatically satisfies dynamic boundary conditions at ground surface, thereby saving cost. Discussions on new formulations are also given through some tests. Furthermore, techniques obtain correct solution discussed throughout. As an application effect dilatancy angle failure mechanism two-sided embankment subjected high groundwater table presented compared with other solutions. Finally, considered basic further developments Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.