Effect of specimen size and ball size on breakage throughput in the drop-weight test

Abstract

Effects of specimen size and ball size on the breakage throughput under the impact loading are investigated using a drop-weight test machine. Samples are square-shaped building stones ranging 20–60 mm in width and 22–256 g in mass. They include granite, marble, and two types of travertine with the thickness of 15 mm. The impact energies, up to 160 J, are achieved by falling balls in a drop-weight test machine. Several steel balls with the diameter of 60, 84, 96, and 120 mm have been used as an impactor. The ball size is a parameter whose effect on the breakage throughput is investigated here. Results show that the larger specimens have better breakage than the smaller ones at the same specific impact energy. It is also indicated that, at constant specific impact energy, the smaller balls behave more efficiently than the larger balls.