Terms of Reference:

1. To promote co-operation and exchange of information about the behaviour of soil grains and granular interactions, so as to clarify the fundamental micro-mechanisms of the behaviour of soils.
2. To promote improved Discrete Element Modelling (DEM) of soil aggregates, through simulations of laboratory tests, especially with regard to the observation of grain crushing and rearrangement.
3. To encourage a micro-structural understanding of significant macroscopic behaviours such as compressibility, anisotropy, yielding, creep, cyclic liquefaction, shear rupture and tensile fracture.
4. To open up a discussion on the use of micro-structural measurements to enhance soil characterisation procedures (grading, plasticity index, CPT / SPT etc) and to clarify the selection and use of continuum parameters in geotechnical engineering practice.
5. To widen the scientific basis of geomechanics by linking with groups applying micro-mechanics to the study of granular materials in other fields of application such as rock mechanics, metal powders, ceramic pressings, and food processing. 
6. To co-operate with other Technical Committees where the granular perspective is thought to be valuable to their work; this may include TC1 Offshore and Near-Shore Geotechnical Engineering, TC2 Geotechnics of Physical Modelling and Centrifuge Testing, TC3 Geotechnics of Pavements, TC6 Unsaturated Soils, TC29 Laboratory Stress Strain Strength Testing of Geomaterials, and TC34 Prediction Methods in Large Strain Geomechanics.
7. To encourage local working groups on particulate mechanics, to organise regional workshops and international symposia, and to negotiate with major journals for the creation of special issues devoted to progress in this topic.