Influence of the interparticle friction coefficient on the mechanical behaviour of breakable granular materials with realistic shape

Interparticle friction coefficient mu is an important factor affecting the mechanical properties of granular materials. In this study, the influence of mu on the mechanical behavior of granular materials is investigated by DEM. Through 3D scanning and Voronoi tessellations, the breakable particle model with realistic shape is constructed. A series of drained triaxial tests were performed at different mu values. Then, the particle breakage characteristics, including the degree of particle breakage and the breakage mode, were evaluated. In addition, microscopic characteristics, including coordination numbers and contact forces, were examined. Finally, the underlying mechanisms of cpc evolution are explained from two perspectives of particle movement and fabric anisotropy. First, the rolling behavior of the particles increases with mu values, leading to a larger average displacement of particles. The influence of particle movement and friction coefficient balance each other, resulting in cpc remaining constant when mu P 0:4. Second, the initial increase of cpc is due to the increase of the contact normal anisotropy ac, the normal contact force anisotropy an and the tangential contact force anisotropy at. Subsequently, the constant cpc is the result of the decrease of ac and an being compensated by the increase of at. (c) 2023 The Society of Powder Technology Japan. Published by Elsevier B.V. and The Society of Powder Technology Japan. All rights reserved.