On the multiscale computation of confined granular media

This contribution sets the focal point on the macroscopic impact of microscopic boundary conditions of discrete granular assemblies. We propose a two scale homogenization approach, containing a micro and a macro level. The microscale, describing the mechanical behavior of the single grains, is modeled by a discrete element method. On the macroscale, a continuum is assumed, discretized by a standard finite element method. Each point on the macroscale is assumed to have a corresponding micro structure, linked by the concept of a representative volume element. As a representative quantity, we focus on the Reynolds principle of dilatancy. Representative numerical examples include a slope-stability test as well as a bi-axial compression test