Studying the influence of heterogeneity on particle breakage using distinct lattice spring model

Abstract

A numerical investigation has been carried out to evaluate the effect of heterogeneity on particle breakage of brittle rocks under various loading conditions. This is achieved by applying distinct lattice spring model (DLSM) to simulate particle breakage process under four typical loading conditions: namely point-to-point loading, three-point bending, plane-to-plane loading and point-to-plane loading. Irregularly shaped samples with two types of heterogeneity (strength and material heterogeneities) are investigated. In most laboratory tests, the main features of macro-fracture patterns within heterogeneous materials vary from specimen to specimen due to the differences of local heterogeneity. Thus, the variation of local heterogeneity in irregularly shaped specimens has been studied. Numerical simulation demonstrates that the main characteristics of particle breakage have been controlled by loading conditions, types of heterogeneity and local heterogeneity.