Simulating deformations of granular solids under shear

We present MD simulations of shear cells of a densily packed array of polygonal grains in two dimensions. We study the dependence of the shear force on the shear velocity. Generally shear hardening is observed. The dependence of the dilatancy on the shear velocity is measured. We also apply the method to simulate two tectonic plates moving under shear. We find a Gutenberg-Richter-like law with a b-value of (1.02 ± 0.06) in good agreement with geophysical measurements. Shear bands of widths dependent on the confining pressure and the shear velocity are observed.