Modeling the single particle crushing behavior by random discrete element method

Microscopic properties of granular materials typically exhibit significant heterogeneity. Realistic particle crushing simulation in granular materials requires the use of model that incorporate the spatial heterogeneity of its microscopic properties. This study introduces a novel approach, the Random Field Theory-Discrete Element Method (RFT-DEM) model, to simulate the single-particle crushing behavior of granular materials, considering the spatial heterogeneity of microscopic properties within particles. The material heterogeneity was characterized through Random Field Theory, demonstrating reasonable consistency between simulated and experimental results. The size-dependent characteristics of crushing strength and Weibull modulus were confirmed through a series of single-particle crushing simulations, emphasizing the model's capability to capture such features. Systematic analyses explored the impact of coefficient of variation (COV) and scale of fluctuation (SOF) on single-particle crushing behavior. Increasing COV resulted in reduced characteristic crushing strength and Weibull modulus, with larger particles exhibiting greater sensitivity. Furthermore, increasing SOF initially increased these parameters until a threshold SOF value of 0.0005 m, beyond which they stabilized. Reduced COV or increased SOF diminished the size effect in characteristic crushing strength, and once COV exceeded a threshold of 0.03, the size effect became independent of its variations. These findings contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the intricate interplay between microscopic properties and crushing behavior in granular materials. •Random field theory (RFT) was integrated to discrete element method (DEM).•The lower coefficient of variation (COV) values leads to a less obvious size effect.•The influence of COV on size effect became negligible when it is below 0.03.•The size effect diminished as scale of fluctuation (SOF) values increased.•The effect of SOF on Weibullian behavior become negligible when it surpassed 0.0005 m.