Abstract
With the use of the particle flow code in two dimensions, a fractal model is established with the number of particles of different particle fractions used as the statistics to study the fractal characteristics of particle size distribution. Numerically simulated specimens obtained by four scale methods are subjected to the relative density test and the biaxial compression test to explore the influences of fractal dimension D on the macroscopic and mesomechanical properties of specimens, as well as to study the relationship between fractal dimension D and different mechanical performance indexes. Results show that the particle size distribution of each of the four groups after scale exhibits fractal characteristics, with the fractal dimension D ranging from 1.27 to 2.03. The number of fine particles in the specimen increases with the fractal dimension D, the particle aggregates become more compact, the macroscopic mechanical properties of the specimens are improved, and a linear relationship exists between the fractal dimension D and different mechanical performance indexes. A large fractal dimension D corresponds to a great mesoparticle coordination number.
Highlights
Wu et al [20] studied the correspondence between the relative density (RD) of rockfill materials and the fractal dimension based on fractal theory and explained the four common scale methods
With the use of the particle flow code in two dimensions and on the basis of fractal theory, a fractal model is established with the number of particles of different particle fractions as the statistics to explore the fractal characteristics of the particle size distribution
Based on the fractal theory, a fractal model is established with the number of particles between different particle groups as the statistical number
Summary
Given the limitations of laboratory test instruments, rockfill materials that exceed the permissible maximum particle size needs to be scaled. Since its introduction [16], fractal theory has made some valuable achievements in the aspects of rock fracture [17], soil particle morphology [18,19], and rockfill materials breakage [20,21,22]. Wu et al [20] studied the correspondence between the relative density (RD) of rockfill materials and the fractal dimension based on fractal theory and explained the four common scale methods. The above findings are mainly concentrated in the aspects of fractal dimension and particle breakage, scale methods, and mechanical properties, and the research techniques are mostly based on Tyler’s fractal model for mass distribution [19]. The research results provide a new method for studying the mechanical properties rockfill materials
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
