Abstract
It is well recognised that particle breakage in granular materials is affected by stress level, stress path, initial density, and particle size distribution (PSD), amongst others. Furthermore, it has been shown that breakage has a significant influence on the stress-strain behaviour of soils. This paper compares a commonly used breakage parameter with grading entropy coordinates. Such coordinates enable for the representation of any PSD as a single point in a Cartesian coordinate plane. Hence, the evolution of PSD changes may be easily tracked. This paper aims to demonstrate that grading entropy coordinates are as (or more) effective than other breakage parameters, whilst providing additional insight. On the basis of limited data it is shown that grading entropy coordinates are able to capture the dependence of breakage on stress level, stress path and initial PSD.
Highlights
Critical state behaviour of granular materials under shear is well established
The crushing of particles when subject to stress produces changes in particle size distribution (PSD) that in turn affect the behaviour of soils during compression [4], and the location and/or inclination of the critical state line (CSL) [5,6,7]
Parameters to quantify the evolution of the PSD and to predict the amount of particle breakage produced under certain stress conditions are often used [8,9,10]
Summary
Critical state behaviour of granular materials under shear is well established. At relatively large strains, granular materials converge to a state of constant volume and stress. The crushing of particles when subject to stress produces changes in particle size distribution (PSD) that in turn affect the behaviour of soils during compression [4], and the location and/or inclination of the CSL [5,6,7] Within this context, parameters to quantify the evolution of the PSD and to predict the amount of particle breakage produced under certain stress conditions are often used [8,9,10]. Parameters to quantify the evolution of the PSD and to predict the amount of particle breakage produced under certain stress conditions are often used [8,9,10] These include (i) breakage potential (Bp), and total (Bt) and relative (Br) breakage, respectively [8]; (ii) breakage internal variable (B) [9]; and (iii) grading state index (IG) [10], amongst others. The focus is on grading entropy coordinates, as an alternative PSD descriptor from which further insights could be gained
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