Rocks are represented as grains and numerically modelled to capture their strength and interaction.

What is it about?

Crystalline rocks are formed from crystals joined together. In this context these crystals are mathematically created to form grains. These grains are then numerically modelled to capture the strength and interaction between the various grains. This way it is possible to determine the break to the grains and the break between the grains. Noted that when the pressure around the rock is more, the grains tend to break more easily then their contacts.

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Photo by Gareth David on Unsplash

Photo by Gareth David on Unsplash

Why is it important?

This paper describes the implementation and advantages of grain based modelling (GBM) in the combined finite-discrete element method (FDEM) to study the mechanical behaviour of crystalline rocks. GBM in FDEM honours grain petrological properties and explicitly models grain boundaries. The simulation results demonstrated that GBM in FDEM predicted more realistic microscopic and macroscopic response of rocks than conventional FDEM models. The explicit modelling of crack boundaries captured microscopic failure transition from along grain boundaries to coalescence along the shear band, dominated by intraphase cracks. This novel framework presents a gateway into further understanding the behaviour of crystalline rocks and granular minerals.