Numerical analysis of elastic-plastic compression of pillars accounting for material hardening and softening

An elastic-plastic model of rock or soil is assumed for which the yield condition depends on hydrostatic pressure and varying material density or porosity. The problem of compression of a finite rectangular pillar between two rigid plates is treated numerically in plane strain conditions by applying the ‘initial stress’ finite element incremental technique. The development of softening and hardening zones within the pillar is studied and related to the load carrying capacity of the pillar.