The fractal micro mechanics of normal compression

de Bono, John P.; McDowell, Glenn R.

Abstract

The fundamental fractal micro mechanics of normal compression of granular materials is studied using DEM. This paper examines the emergence of a finite fractal bounded by two particle sizes as stress increases, and the evolution of various definitions of the ‘smallest particles’. It is revealed that if particles are categorised according to their coordination number, then the volume of all particles with 4 contacts or fewer is directly proportional to the void space. These particles are called ‘critical particles’ and are shown, for the first time, to explain quantitatively the voids reduction with increasing vertical stress.

Citation

de Bono, J. P., & McDowell, G. R. (2016). The fractal micro mechanics of normal compression. Computers and Geotechnics, 78, 11-24. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2016.04.018

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 29, 2016
• Online Publication Date: May 12, 2016
• Publication Date: Sep 1, 2016
• Deposit Date: May 17, 2016
• Publicly Available Date: May 17, 2016
• Journal: Computers and Geotechnics
• Print ISSN: 0266-352X
• Electronic ISSN: 0266-352X
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 78
• Pages: 11-24
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2016.04.018
• Keywords: DEM; normal compression; crushing; fractal
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/975366
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2016.04.018
• Additional Information: This article is maintained by: Elsevier; Article Title: The fractal micro mechanics of normal compression; Journal Title: Computers and Geotechnics; CrossRef DOI link to publisher maintained version: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2016.04.018; Content Type: article; Copyright: © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.