Numerical study on the influence of microscopic crystal fragment morphology on the macroscopic mechanical properties of tuff

Abstract

The micromorphology of crystal fragments in tuff significantly influences its macroscopic mechanical properties and fracture behavior. To investigate this effect, a rectangular grain model (RGM) is proposed to characterize approximately rectangular or angular crystal fragments in tuff, addressing the limitation of the conventional grain-based model, which has limited flexibility in representing mineral particle shapes. Using the discrete element method, this study examines how crystal fragment content, shape, and orientation affect rock strength and crack propagation. The results indicate that variations in crystal fragment content influence the mechanical behavior and failure patterns of tuff by altering material heterogeneity. Changes in the shape and orientation of crystal fragments affect the mechanical response by modifying the number and spatial arrangement of contact points along cemented interfaces; an increase in the length of cemented interfaces along the long-axis direction of crystal fragments promotes tensile failure. When the long-axis cemented interfaces tend to align with the macroscopic fracture direction, the initiation, coalescence, and propagation of through-going cracks are facilitated. The results provide a mesoscale reference for understanding the mechanical behavior of tuffs with similar crystal-fragment morphologies.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

tuff / discrete element method / heterogeneity / RGM

References

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