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Discrete element modelling of geomechanical behaviour of methane hydrate soils with pore-filling hydrate distribution

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Abstract

Methane hydrate soil is a natural soil deposit that contains methane hydrate in its pores. The micro-scale processes of the geomechanical behaviour of methane hydrate-bearing soils are investigated by the Discrete Element method (DEM). A series of DEM simulations of triaxial compression tests were performed to study the influence of methane hydrate saturation (S h ) on the stress–strain relationship, the volumetric response and on the macroscopic geomechanical properties such as friction and dilation angle. Results of the numerical simulations are compared with laboratory triaxial test data performed on sandy methane hydrate samples. The simulations showed that for the pore-filling case, the hydrate contribution to the strength of the sediment is of a frictional nature, rather than of a cohesive nature.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Trumpington Street, Cambridge, CB2 1PZ, UK

    J. Brugada & K. Soga

  2. Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK

    Y. P. Cheng

  3. School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 790 Atlantic Drive NW, Atlanta, GA, 30332-0355, USA

    J. C. Santamarina

Authors
  1. J. Brugada
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  2. Y. P. Cheng
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  3. K. Soga
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  4. J. C. Santamarina
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Correspondence to J. Brugada.

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Brugada, J., Cheng, Y.P., Soga, K. et al. Discrete element modelling of geomechanical behaviour of methane hydrate soils with pore-filling hydrate distribution. Granular Matter 12, 517–525 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10035-010-0210-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10035-010-0210-y

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