Particle shape effects on breakage behaviors in granular materials

What is it about?

Particle shape is a fundamental characteristic that governs the multiscale mechanical behaviors of coarse granular geotechnical materials, profoundly influencing properties such as strength, stability, deformation, and particle breakage. However, there is a notable lack of comprehensive reviews that explore the multiscale effects of particle shape, spanning micro to macro levels, on the breakage behavior of geotechnical materials. This study aims to bridge this gap by systematically analyzing macroscopic experimental data and microscopic observations, complemented by advanced numerical simulations and data analysis techniques.

Featured Image

Photo by Swati B on Unsplash

Photo by Swati B on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Abstract Particle shape is a fundamental characteristic that governs the multiscale mechanical behaviors of coarse granular geotechnical materials, profoundly influencing properties such as strength, stability, deformation, and particle breakage. However, there is a notable lack of comprehensive reviews that explore the multiscale effects of particle shape, spanning micro to macro levels, on the breakage behavior of geotechnical materials. This study aims to bridge this gap by systematically analyzing macroscopic experimental data and microscopic observations, complemented by advanced numerical simulations and data analysis techniques. Based upon the analysis and synthesis of data, it is found that particle shape plays a critical role not only in macroscopic material properties such as strength, stability, and deformation behavior, but also in the mechanical interactions between particles at the microscopic level. Irregularly shaped particles generate localized, concentrated forces at contact points, especially at fracture keys, leading to complex fracture processes and diverse fragmentation mechanisms. These particles influence force chain networks by enhancing structural anisotropy and amplifying local stress fluctuations, which affects the stability and crack formation within the material. Conversely, spherical particles exhibit more uniform stress distribution, resulting in higher compressive strength and improved material stability. The study further highlights that the fragmentation patterns of irregular particles are more complex, with breakage modes ranging from splitting to explosive failure, resulting in a broader range of fragment sizes. Although a deeper understanding of the effects of particle shape has been achieved, further refinement is needed in developing shape-sensitive constitutive models and simulating multi-physics coupling (e.g., hydro-mechanical). This study explores future research possibilities and emphasizes the importance of factoring particle shape into the construction and adaptation of geotechnical materials.

Perspectives