Verification of FLAC Mohr-Coulomb Model for Granular Materials under Monotonic Loading

The computer program, FLAC, has been used extensively by Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) for determining embankment dam deformations under seismic loads for Dam Safety projects. However, there are substantial uncertainties regarding the predictive capability of FLAC. Verification and validation (V&V) process is needed in order to evaluate the predictive capability of FLAC for embankment dam applications. One of the components in the V&V process for numerical model simulation is to examine material behavior at the element level. At Reclamation, geologic materials are modeled almost exclusively using the FLAC Mohr-Coulomb model for its simplicity, as it only requires four shear strength parameters and two elastic moduli. Without the verification assessment, it is uncertain if FLAC Mohr-Coulomb model could generate stress-strain responses comparable to laboratory element tests. This research study focuses on the verification of FLAC Mohr-Coulomb model subjected to monotonic loading.