Significance of DEM input parameters on the modelling of low strength soft rock mechanical behaviour

Barreto, D; Rouainia, M; Simpson, D

Significance of DEM input parameters on the modelling of low strength soft rock mechanical behaviour

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Mohamed Rouainia, David Simpson

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Abstract

In this paper 2D DEM simulations of biaxial compression tests on low strength soft rocks are presented. These aimed to replicate the mechanical behaviour of the materials, in particular the effect of interlocking between particles using assemblies with both a realistic and a reduced particle size distribution. A contact model that incorporates tensile strength and cohesive resistance of bonded particles is used in both simulations to demonstrate that the macro-scale behaviour obtained is not as observed in experimental tests if realistic PSDs are used. This is found to be a consequence of inaccurate contact models when real particle sizes are input. Hence the results of existing DEM research, in particular the micro-scale observations which are supposed to explain the unique features of the mechanical behaviour of structured soils, may be questionable. © 2015 Taylor & Francis Group.