Breakage and critical state via DEM

Abstract

Discrete-element simulations are used to explore the relation between breakage-induced grading evolution and the critical state line position on the compression plane. An efficient model of particle breakage is applied to perform a large number of tests, in which grading evolution is continuously tracked using a grading index. Using both previous and new experimental results, the discrete element model is calibrated and validated to represent Fontainebleau sand. The results obtained show that, when breakage is present, the inclusion of a grading index in the description of critical states is advantageous. This can be simply done using the critical state plane concept.