Failure characteristics analysis of crushed-stone-reinforced polymer (CSRP) composites under compressive load based on meso-mechanics

Abstract

Adding crushed stones into the polymer can effectively improve the stiffness and engineering properties of the polymer. In this study, a meso finite element model is established to explore the influence of the matrix polymer, interfacial transition zone (ITZ), and crushed stone on the mechanical properties of crushed-stone-reinforced polymer (CSRP) composites, and analyze the failure mechanism of CSRP. The results showed that the elastic modulus and compressive strength of the CSRP increased significantly with an increase in the matrix polymer density and decreased with an increase in the low-density ITZ (LDITZ) relative content or ITZ thickness. An increase in the crushed stone content can increase the elastic modulus of the CSRP. Polymer density and LDITZ primarily affected the development of CSRP cracks. The modulus and strength of the LDITZ were lower than those of the matrix polymer. The failure began at LDITZ under load in the low-density CSRP owing to the high LDITZ relative content. The polymer and crushed stone are split simultaneously under load in the high-density CSRP owing to the strong mechanical properties of the matrix polymer and the low LDITZ relative content.