On a fabric evolution law incorporating the effects of b-value

In this paper, the effects of the intermediate stress ratio, i.e., b-value (b = (σ₂ − σ₃)/(σ₁ − σ₃)), on the contact normal-based fabric evolution of granular material, are incorporated into an extant hybrid fabric evolution law. The new evolution law is validated by Discrete Element Method (DEM) simulation results under monotonic shearing with different b-values. Predictions of the proposed generalized fabric evolution law agree well with the DEM simulation results. This evolution law can be widely used for constitutive modelling of granular materials, considering the effects of b-value in a general geomechanical three-dimensional stress space.