Fractal geometry applications in fragmentation dynamics

Abstract

Fractal geometry is finding many applications in fragmentation dynamics. Early work concerned itself with the structure of rock fragments. This work is reviewed briefly. New applications of fractal geometry in which the crack structure initiated in ballistic fracture, the type operative in fluid jet milling of rock systems is described. This is an extension to the original work of Passoja, Mandelbrot to rock failure. Application of this characterization to compressive and tensile failure are also reviewed. The possible use of fractal dimension of the failure surface of fractured rock in feed forward control of a comminution process is discussed. The use of a new fractal dimension, the Korčak fragmentation fractal to describe the size distribution of fragmented rock is introduced. The use of this fractal dimension to describe the process of comminution is discussed.