• Yukio Nakata, Yamaguchi University
• Kenichi Soga, University of California, Berkeley
• Mingjing Jiang, Tianjin University
• Shuji Moriguchi, Tohoku University

Particle-based numerical modeling, such as DEM, MPM, SPH, and other related methods have been widely accepted, and these methods have expanded the capability of numerical simulations in the research field of geomechanics. The development of the methods enables us to solve complex geotechnical problems, such as the behavior of soil grains, granular interactions, bifurcation, localization, large deformation problems of soils, slope disasters, and soil-water interactions. In addition, because of recent development of computer power and parallelization techniques, the particle-based modeling has been becoming one of the important approaches to solve practical problems in geotechnical engineering. This mini-symposium aims to discuss recent development on numerical simulations utilizing the particle-based modeling in Geotechnical engineering. Key topics of this mini-symposium are listed below, but other related topics are also welcome.

Micro-structural understanding of significant macroscopic behaviors
Grain crushing and rearrangement
Simulations of laboratory tests using particle-based modeling
Soil-water interaction
Soil-structure interaction
Numerical simulations of slope disasters
Verification and validation for Particle-based modeling
Practical example of particle-based modeling