Abstract: Direct shear test of sand was simulated using discrete element method and the macro-and-mesoscopic responses of sand during shearing were analyzed in this research. The development of sand deformation was observed through strip partition method; and the relationship between shear stress and shear displacement was recorded to analyze the macroscopic behaviors of sand. In mesoscopic scale, the development of contact status was researched through analyzing contact force chain, contact fabric distribution, coordination number and sliding contact percentage; the evolution of granular distribution under shearing was observed through the analysis of porosity variation;

Key words: sand, discrete element method, direct shear test, meso-mechanics, shear band