The discrete-element method has successfully been applied in the past
to study constitutive behavior of granular materials. The method is ap
plied in this paper to cohesive soils, where in addition to mechanical
forces, there are physicochemical forces between particles, and there
is significant bending of individual particles. Based on a recent stu
dy on the double-layer repulsive force between inclined particles, the
repulsive force is modeled approximately. The attractive force betwee
n particles is not considered in the present study. Dividing each part
icle into a number of interconnected discrete elements, bending of par
ticles is simulated as part of the overall analysis. By employing suit
able force-displacement laws for the mechanical contacts, formation of
new contacts, deletion of existing contacts, and slip between particl
es are modeled. The preliminary results presented here show the potent
ial of the method for carrying out fundamental research into the stres
s-strain behavior of cohesive soils.