Crushing of Particles under Simulated Static and Centrifuge Forces

Granular materials forming part of foundations and embankments experience crushing as a result of compressive loads. Crushing can not be visualized in standard geotechnical tests or in the field, but here the Discrete Element Method (DEM) was used to solve this problem. The DEM simulated compression tests were performed on cylindrical particles in a container subjected to either: (1) an increasing axial compressive load, or (2) an increasing gravity field (centrifuge test). In the uniaxial compressive tests, the axial load varied from 1 x 10⁴ N to 1 x 10⁵ N. In the centrifuge tests, the gravity varied from 1g to 1800g. The axially increasing compression tests indicated that the crushed particles were uniformly distributed throughout the sample. The centrifuge tests indicated that crushing was concentrated at the container's bottom. Both tests produced after crushing a granular assembly that was fractal. The tests' relevance to understanding crushing under footings and in embankments is also presented.