Effects of particle size on crushing and deformation behaviors of rockfill materials

Strength and deformation behaviors of rockfill materials, key factors for determining the stability of dams, pertain strongly to the grain crushing characteristics. In this study, single-particle crushing tests were carried out on rockfill materials with nominal particle diameters of 2.5 mm, 5 mm and 10 mm to investigate the particle size effect on the single-particle strength and the relationship between the characteristic stress and probability of non-failure. Test data were found to be described by the Weibull distribution with the Weibull modulus of 3.24. Assemblies with uniform nominal grains were then subjected to one-dimensional compression tests at eight levels of vertical stress with a maximum of 100 MPa. The yield stress in one-dimensional compression tests increased with decreasing the particle size, which could be estimated from the single-particle crushing tests. The void ratio-vertical stress curve could be predicted by an exponential function. The particle size distribution curve increased obviously with applied stresses less than 16 MPa and gradually reached the ultimate fractal grading. The relative breakage index became constant with stress up to 64 MPa and was obtained from the ultimate grading at the fractal dimension (α=2.7). A hyperbolical function was also found useful for describing the relationship between the relative breakage index and input work during one-dimensional compression tests. [Display omitted] •A further investigation of the Weibull distribution for rockfill materials.•Particle size has a great influence on the fracture strength of rockfill materials.•The fractal dimension of rockfill materials could be obtained.•The relationship between the relative breakage index and input work could be described.