Abstract
The discrete element method (DEM) can elucidate the macroscopic property changes caused by the breakage of granular materials from a microscopic perspective. In this paper, the fragment replacement method (FRM) volume expansion method is used to establish the DEM model for triaxial tests. Through numerical simulations of breakage and non-breakage of specimens with different gradation groups of characteristic particle sizes, the influencing factors of breakage and their microscopic responses are determined, and the critical states of crushed specimens are investigated. The results show that the shearing dilatancy characteristics of each specimen are governed by the stress level, and the dilatancy decreases as the stress increases; the differences in the macroscopic mechanical properties of the specimens of different gradation groups originate from particle fragmentation degree and the different particle contact effects; the characteristic state stresses of the specimens with different characteristic particle sizes are linear in the p-q plane, where q is the critical shear stress and p is the mean principal stress; as the content of fine particles decreases, the amount of breakage increases, and the line of the critical state void ratio shifts down and deflects more; at low confining pressure, particle breakage mainly occurs at the early stage of shear, while at high confining pressure, particle breakage accompanies the whole shear process.
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This study was supported by the National Outstanding Youth Science Fund Project of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No.51722801).
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Jiao, S., Xu, C., Xu, S. et al. Research on breakage mechanical properties of fragile granular material considering the effect of gradations. Bull Eng Geol Environ 82, 432 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-023-03455-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-023-03455-2