Discrete element simulation of effects of multicontact loading on single particle crushing

Particle crushing commonly occurs in granular materials and affects their structures and mechanical properties. Unlike idealized particles in experimental single particle crushing tests with two loading points, natural particles are crushed under multicontact loading. To date, the criteria and patterns of particle crushing under multicontact conditions are not fully understood. By using the three-dimensional discrete element method, this report explores the effect of multicontact loading on the crushing criterion of a single particle, the crushing pattern, and the relationship between the particle crushing strength and loading distribution. The particles are modelled as aggregates of glued Voronoi polyhedra. The numerical results indicate that the logarithm of the mean principal stress has a good linear correlation with the coordination number. For a specific coordination number, the number of child particles presents a significant normal distribution. For a specific number of child particles, the volumes of child particles can be statistically described as normal or gamma distribution. Three typical models are proposed to qualitatively analyse the relationship between the loading distribution and crushing strength. The relevant conclusions can be helpful in engineering practice and in further studies on crushable granular materials via the discrete element method.