How do agglomerates break?

Colin Thornton*, Lianfeng Liu

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

112 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Granular dynamics (DEM) simulations of a polydisperse cuboidal agglomerate impacting with a target wall are reported. The paper focuses on identifying the physical processes that lead to fracture. It is shown that fracture is the result of the manner in which strong interparticle forces are transmitted into the agglomerate and the consequent development of a heterogeneous distribution of primary particle velocities. This heterogeneous velocity field produces strong velocity discontinuities along which shear weakening occurs. Consequently, the strong velocity discontinuities become the potential fracture planes.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)110-116
Number of pages7
JournalPowder Technology
Volume143-144
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 25 Jun 2004
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Agglomerates
  • Fracture
  • Granular dynamics
  • Impact

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