To investigate the macroscopic mechanical response and microscale failure mechanisms of hydrate-bearing sediments (HBS), numerical simulations for direct shear and multi-reversal direct shear tests were carried out based on two-dimensional discrete element modeling under various hydrate saturations and normal stress conditions. By validating against laboratory tests, the simulation results successfully reproduce the stress-strain behavior and shear band development, and reveal the microscale origins of dilation, strain-softening, and particle wear. The results indicate that the increasing hydr...
