Prospecting Directions of the Development of Loose Medium Mechanics

Introduction. At present, in the field of loose medium mechanics there is a rather serious key problem, the absence of a universal theoretical concept for considering the behavior of the loose medium under different practical conditions. Such situation significantly impedes the further development of this industry, since theoretical models of bulk material, which now have been counted about 30, practically conflict with each other.
Problem Statement. In practice, such problem leads to numerous cases of failures of structures of various types, as a result of errors in determining the loads from the bulk material.
Purpose. Identification and formulation of the main directions of the further development of loose medium mechanics as a separate section of soil mechanics in the composition of geotechnical mechanics. The development of these directions is a solution for overcoming the problem of creating a unified theoretical model of loose medium.
Materials and Methods. The systematization and the synthesis of the accumulated information on loose medium mechanics and the development of a universal approach to describing its behavior is the main method to achieve the formulated purpose.
Results. Researching in three directions is the main prerequisite for the formation of the concept of loose medium. These directions are the determination of the properties of loose materials; the determination of the pressure ratio; and the development of a model for packing grains of loose material.
Conclusions. The discrete-continuum approach shall be basic concept for developing the unified theoretical model of loose medium. At the same time, all properties of loose medium are determined on the basis of its discrete nature; the equations of static equilibrium and the dynamic motion of the loose medium are formed considering it as a homogeneous continuum within a certain volume. Also, the static behavior of loose medium shall be analyzed as a partial case of its dynamic behavior rather than as an individual task with its own parameters.