A review of soil stress-strain models used in the finite element method

The soil stress-strain models most used in the finite element method are described. Three types of models are treated here: elastic linear, nonlinear and elasto-plastic (time effects not considered). The various models proposed in the literature are discussed with relation to simulation of some aspects of soil behavior which include: the nonlinearity of stress-strain curve and its shape; the variation of Poisson ratio and compressibility with strain, and permanent strains. Finally, the models are compared with reference to their theoretical and experimental aspects, number of parameters, and types of tests for definition of such parameters. (Author)