Mesoscopic Study on Mutual-Embedded Settlement of Miscellaneous Fill Foundation Based on Particle Flows

Based on the particle flow theory, the numerical simulation of inter-embedded settlement of miscellaneous fills and soft soil was conducted by using the EDEM calculation software. In the case of 10 mm, 30 mm, and 50 mm particle sizes of miscellaneous fills, the influence of particle sizes of miscellaneous fills on mutual-embedding was studied by analyzing the velocity field, displacement field and stress field of soft soil particles during the mutual-embedding process. The research results indicated that when the particle size of the miscellaneous fill was large, the velocity distribution of the soft soil particles was not uniform, and the velocity of the soft soil particles in the pore channels of the miscellaneous fill was relatively large. As the particle size of the miscellaneous fill decreased, the velocity distribution of the soft soil gradually became uniform, and the upward pressing force on the soft soil in the pore channel also decreased, resulting in a decrease in the mutual-embedded settlement. The mutual-embedded settlement of miscellaneous fills and soft soil particles was mainly affected by the soil layer on the soft soil surface. From a mechanical perspective, the reason for the mutual-embedding was that the direction of the contact force in the mutual-embedding was constantly changing, and the arch force chain was gradually developed, and the particles above the arch force chain were weak due to the weak force chain and the influence of the surrounding particles upward movement.