Effects of particle size on compaction behavior and particle crushing of crushed sandstone–mudstone particle mixture

Abstract

The compaction behavior and particle crushing during compaction of the crushed sandstone–mudstone particle mixture, which is used as a filling material, are investigated in the present study. The value of the maximum dry density, deduced from a standard compaction test, ranges from 2.08 to 2.13 g/cm3, and that of the optimum moisture content from 8.18 to 10.62 %. The value of the maximum dry density increases, then decreases with the increment of the median particle diameter and gravel content. But the value of the optimum moisture content decreases, then increases with the increment of the median particle diameter or gravel content. The value of the average relative breakage ranges from 0.09 to 0.30, and it increases with the increment of the median particle diameter and gravel content. Compared to the mixture of sandstone particles only with the same grain size distribution curves, the mudstone particles mixed into sandstone particles may slightly increase the maximum dry density and decrease the amount of particle crushing.