DEM exploration of the effect of particle shape on particle breakage in granular assemblies

The effect of particle shape on particle breakage is investigated through triaxial tests on sand assemblies mixed with non-spherical agglomerates using the discrete element method. Mixed assembly is generated in terms of cumulative distribution of sphericity of real sands. Comparable macro-mechanical results are found between DEM and experimental observations, including non-linear stress-strain relationship, peak deviatoric stress, and peak friction angle. More broken bonds and agglomerates numbers are generated in mixed assembly than that in spherical assembly. The hyperbolic relationship between particle breakage and energy input is found to have relevance to particle shape, and the fitting result of mixed assembly is in better accordance with real sands.