SANISAND-MSf: A sand plasticity model with memory surface and semifluidised state

A new constitutive model for sand is formulated by incorporating two new constitutive ingredients into the platform of a reference critical state compatible bounding surface plasticity model with kinematic hardening, in order to address primarily the undrained cyclic response. The first ingredient is a memory surface for more precisely controlling stiffness affecting the plastic deviatoric and volumetric strains and ensuing excess pore pressure development in the pre-liquefaction stage. The second ingredient is the concept of a semifluidised state and the related formulation of stiffness and dilatancy degradation, aiming at modelling large shear strain development in the post-liquefaction stage. In parallel, a modified flow rule aimed at providing a better description of non-proportional monotonic and cyclic loading is introduced. With a single set of constants, for which a detailed calibration procedure is provided, this new model successfully simulates undrained cyclic torsional and triaxial tests with different cyclic stress ratios, separately for the pre-and post-liquefaction stages, as well as liquefaction strength curves based on ru and shear strain criteria for initial liquefaction. The successful reproduction of the sand element response under undrained cyclic shearing contributes to future applications in realistic and thorough seismic site response analysis.