Discrete element modelling (DEM) of a face-centred cubic assembly of spherical particles has
been used to study the influence of anisotropic stress states on the shear wave velocity of a granular
material. The shear waves were generated and detected in a way equivalent to the use of bender
elements in laboratory testing. Comparisons are presented between the discrete element simulations
and analytical and empirically derived methods of relating stiffness to the degree of confining
stress anisotropy. The results confirm previous empirical observations that wave velocity is strongly
influenced by the stresses in the direction of propagation and in the direction of oscillation of the shear
wave. The wave velocity is, however, largely independent of the stress orthogonal to the plane
containing the wave motion.