Constitutive Modelling of Granular Materials

Constitutive models are the key-stone not only for understanding the mechanical behaviour of granular materials (mainly soils but also other granulates such as sugar, wheat, coal, pellets) but also for carrying out numerical predictions by means of the finite elements method. However the extreme complexity of the behaviour of granular materials gave rise to confusing multiplicity of hardy tractable constitutive models proposed so far. the present book comprises a selection of the state-of the-art contributions of world-wide leading specialists with the aim to evaluate, specify and re-assess the present achievements as well as to point on needs for future research.