TY - JOUR

T1 - Discrete Element Modelling of Cold Crushing Tests Considering Various Interface Property Distributions in Ordinary Refractory Ceramics

AU - Du, Weiliang

AU - Jin, Shengli

N1 - Funding Information: This research is a part of collaboration between Montanuniversitaet Leboen and RHI Magnesita. Publisher Copyright: © 2022 by the authors.

PY - 2022/10/31

Y1 - 2022/10/31

N2 - The microstructures and local properties of ordinary refractory ceramic materials are heterogeneous and play a role in the fracture behavior of ordinary refractory ceramic materials. It is important to consider them in numerical modeling. Herein, the discrete element (DE) method was applied to determine the influences of heterogeneity of ordinary refractory ceramic materials by applying statistically distributed interface properties (uniform, Weibull), as opposed to constant interface properties, among the elements. Uniaxial cold crushing tests were performed as a case study. A reasonable loading strain rate for receiving quasi-static loading conditions and computation efficiency was evaluated. The loading wall displacement was recorded to present the stress–strain curves of cold crushing tests. Furthermore, the effects of the interface property distributions on the load/displacement curve, fracture energy, cold crushing strength, and fracture events were investigated. The results reveal that the DE method is a promising method for visualizing and quantifying the post–peak fracture process and crack events in ordinary refractory ceramics. Different interface property distributions contribute to significant variances in the load/displacement curve shape and fracture pattern. The heterogeneity of ordinary refractory ceramics can be further determined by comparing the experimental curves and fracture propagation along with an inverse identification approach.

AB - The microstructures and local properties of ordinary refractory ceramic materials are heterogeneous and play a role in the fracture behavior of ordinary refractory ceramic materials. It is important to consider them in numerical modeling. Herein, the discrete element (DE) method was applied to determine the influences of heterogeneity of ordinary refractory ceramic materials by applying statistically distributed interface properties (uniform, Weibull), as opposed to constant interface properties, among the elements. Uniaxial cold crushing tests were performed as a case study. A reasonable loading strain rate for receiving quasi-static loading conditions and computation efficiency was evaluated. The loading wall displacement was recorded to present the stress–strain curves of cold crushing tests. Furthermore, the effects of the interface property distributions on the load/displacement curve, fracture energy, cold crushing strength, and fracture events were investigated. The results reveal that the DE method is a promising method for visualizing and quantifying the post–peak fracture process and crack events in ordinary refractory ceramics. Different interface property distributions contribute to significant variances in the load/displacement curve shape and fracture pattern. The heterogeneity of ordinary refractory ceramics can be further determined by comparing the experimental curves and fracture propagation along with an inverse identification approach.

KW - cold crushing test

KW - discrete element method

KW - fracture event

KW - heterogeneity

KW - interface property

KW - ordinary refractory ceramics

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85141839926&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.3390/ma15217650

DO - 10.3390/ma15217650

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:85141839926

VL - 15.2022

JO - Materials

JF - Materials

SN - 1996-1944

IS - 21

M1 - 7650

ER -