The modelling and simulation of cyclic sand ratcheting is tackled by means of a plasticity model formulated within the well-known critical state, bounding surface SANISAND framework. For this purpose, a third locus – termed the ‘memory surface’ – is cast into the constitutive formulation, so as to phenomenologically capture micro-mechanical, fabric-related processes directly relevant to the cyclic response. The predictive capability of the model under numerous loading cycles (‘high-cyclic’ loading) is explored with focus on drained loading conditions, and validated against experimental test results from the literature – including triaxial, simple shear and cyclic loading by oedometer test. The model proves capable of reproducing the transition from ratcheting to shakedown response, in combination with a single set of soil parameters for different initial, boundary and loading conditions. This work contributes to the analysis of soil–structure interaction under high-cyclic loading events, such as those induced by environmental and/or traffic loads.

This paper provides a theoretical derivation for the unconfined compression strength of artificially cemented granular soils. The proposed developments are based on the concept of superposition of failure strength contributions of the soil and cement phases. The granular matrix obeys the critical state soil mechanics concept, whereas the strength of the cemented phase can be described using the Drucker-Prager failure criterion. In the process, the analytical relation is suitably adjusted to parallel a recently proposed empirical relationship that links unconfined compression strength of artificially cemented granular soils to an adjusted porosity/cement ratio parameter. Although the proposed analytical relation fits the experimental data for different granular soils and cement curing time well, further parametric analysis offers the possibility of exploring the effect of some material parameters on the unconfined compression strength of artificially cemented granular soils.