Textural and Mineralogical Controls on Rock Strength Elucidated Using a Discrete Element Method Numerical Laboratory

Temitope Oladele,Lawrence Bbosa,Dion Weatherley

doi:10.3390/min11091015

Temitope Oladele, Lawrence Bbosa + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/min11091015

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Journal: Minerals	Publication Date: Sep 18, 2021
Citations: 3	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: University of Cape Town, University of Queensland

Abstract

Numerical modelling techniques such as the discrete element method are now well established and extensively used in many applications including solid earth geoscience, materials science, geotechnical engineering and rock mechanics. The potential for this technique in understanding comminution mechanisms has been identified as highly promising. This work utilizes the discrete element method as a numerical laboratory to conduct investigations relevant to comminution that would otherwise be costly or time-consuming to perform in the field or laboratory. A benchmark numerical model for impact breakage of rock specimens is first established and validated against results of controlled laboratory experiments. Thereafter, the model is utilized to systematically investigate the potential dependency of ore breakage properties upon the prevalence of pre-existing fractures, as well as the mineralogical composition of the ore. These numerical experiments serve to highlight the potential for quantitatively relating the mechanical response of ore to its textural and mineralogical characteristics. Tandem utilization of numerical and laboratory experimentation to formulate and test hypotheses is a promising avenue to illuminate such relationships.

Highlights

The Discrete Element method (DEM) is a well-established numerical technique for simulating and studying the flow of granular materials as well as the fracture of rocks and rock-like materials [1,2,3]
Its application to serve as a “numerical laboratory” for predicting rock response or fracture, whilst varying micro-structural parameters and loading conditions, has been demonstrated and comprehensively tested in rock engineering and fracture mechanics [6,7,8,9]
ResultsThis section describes the results of two numerical experiments, one which systemaTtihciasllsyecetxiponlodreesscthriebiensfltuheenrceesuolftsproef-wtweoakneunminegriicnaltheexpDeErMimeronctks, sopneeciwmheinchansydsatesmec-ond aticawllhyicehxpinlovreesstitghaeteisnftlhueemnceechoaf npircea-lwreesapkoennsiengofinthtehDe EDMEMrorcokcskpsepciemciemneans athnedmaisneecroanlodgical whicchominpvoessittiigoantecshtahnegmese. chanical response of the DEM rock specimen as the mineralogical composition changes

Summary

Introduction

The Discrete Element method (DEM) is a well-established numerical technique for simulating and studying the flow of granular materials as well as the fracture of rocks and rock-like materials [1,2,3]. Its application to serve as a “numerical laboratory” for predicting rock response or fracture, whilst varying micro-structural parameters and loading conditions, has been demonstrated and comprehensively tested in rock engineering and fracture mechanics [6,7,8,9]. The concept of the DEM as a numerical laboratory entails prescribing the boundary conditions and specifying material properties in the model, and systemically varying these to investigate the variability of macroscopic measurable quantities [10]. Areas of application where this has been demonstrated include materials science [12], rock mechanics [11,13,14,15], seismology [9] and mining sciences [16]

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Results

Conclusion