Bonded particle modeling of grain size effect on tensile and compressive strengths of rock under static and dynamic loading

Abstract

The effect of grain (particle) size on the strength is an interesting subject in the rock engineering. Some investigations about the impact of particle size on static strength of rock have been conducted and reported in the literature. However, this issue has not received enough attention when high loading rates are involved. In this work, by utilizing the CA3 bonded particle - finite element computer program, the combined influence of loading rate and particle size on the compressive and tensile strengths of rock is examined. The bonded particle model is used to simulate the crack initiation and failure of the rock specimen and the finite element is utilized to model the elastic bars in the Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) apparatus employed for the dynamic testing. Specimens with four different particle sizes were prepared. The results suggest that the particle size does not affect the rock strength under static and dynamic loading. However, the particle size modifies the nominal tensile strength of the notched Brazilian specimens. For the intact Brazilian specimens under high stress rates, the particle size contributes to the tensile strength and this contribution can be justified based on the principles of fracture mechanics. The theoretical reason for these observations is derived for a 3D bonded particle system and discussed.