The process and mechanism for the contact breakage of marble particles

Abstract:

To study the marble particles' breakage process, morphology after breakage and force-displacement curve, the ball-surface and ball-ball particle contact experiments were carried out by employing Rock Rheological Testing System with customized spherical hinge bearings and a displacement measuring system, through which the mechanical properties and microscopic mechanism of marble particles' contact breakage are analyzed. The numerical simulation was performed to study the breakage process by considering the strength reduction parameter, and the result was compared with that of laboratory test, in which the experience on parameter calibration for contact simulation was introduced. This study shows that the local breakage is occurred firstly in the contact area, and then the Elastic Core is formed under normal contact force. The existing of the Elastic Core changes the path of force transfer and results in overall breakage of the particle after crack coalescence. The introduction of strength reduction parameter contributes to the simulation on the morphology after breakage. The result of numerical simulation forms a good supplement to the laboratory test, which further clarifies the microscopic mechanism of the contact breaking process of marble particles.