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We focus on a triaxial compression at constant pressure in which a granular material, after an isotropic preparation, is sheared in a small range of monotone deformation. The aggregate is made by identical, elastic, spheres that interact through a non central contact forces. Because of the loading condition the material is transversely isotropic. Through a numerical analysis we show that aggregates with same pressure and porosity behave differently depending on the initial coordination number (i.e. the average number of contacts per particle). The relation of stress, volume change, elastic moduli and microstructure with the initial contact network is investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a theoretical model to predict the mechanical behavior of an idealized granular material in triaxial compression. Particle motions involve both the average strain of the aggregate and fluctuations. Force and moment equilibrium determine fluctuations in translation and rotation. Two regimes of deformations are considered: at the beginning of the shearing, the aggregate is assumed to behave elastically; then, when sliding between particles first occurs, the incremental contact forces are assumed to be frictionless. Simulations using the discrete element method are carried out and compared to the predictions of the theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]