Discrete element method simulation of granular materials considering particle breakage in geotechnical and mining engineering: A short review

Abstract

Discrete element method (DEM)-based simulations are crucial for bridging macro and micro research, particularly owing to the limitations of experimental methods. This paper reviews the simulation techniques used for particle breakage in DEM, summarizes the research status, and discusses pertinent issues to outline future prospects for particle breakage simulation. Fragment replacement method (FRM) and bonded particle method (BPM) are widely used to simulate particle breakage based on DEM. In BPM models, sub-particle size selection, particle cluster generation mode, and bonding parameters are crucial considerations. Although BPM can simulate the breakage of particles with complex shapes, it cannot re-simulate them, posing difficulties in coordinating calculation load and simulation accuracy. For FRM, the fragment replacement mode and particle breakage criteria are critical. The number and size of replacement particles are difficult to match with actual conditions, and ensuring mass conservation is significantly challenging. Although the initial computational load in FRM is relatively low, it increases significantly as the simulation progresses. To address these issues, we propose a simulation method that integrates BPM and FRM, allowing sub-particle breakage in BPM to be realized by FRM.

Keywords

Discrete element method / Granular materials / Bonded particle method / Fragment replacement method / Particle breakage criterion / Geotechnical and mining engineering

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