Theory 20/Soil Mechanics
Shear Bands Follow a Size Ratio
The claim
The width of a shear band in soil is set by the ratio of grain size to specimen size rather than by confining pressure.
01The mechanism
Band width scales with a fixed number of grains; when specimens are small relative to grains, the band spans the specimen and behaviour changes character.
02Predictions
- P1Band width should scale with the ratio.
- P2Small specimens should show different localisation.
03Refutation
Band width invariant to grain size would remove the ratio.