This paper uses the discrete element method to model the size and cushion effects during single-particle crushing tests. We propose simplified numerical modeling to examine the effects of particle size and coordination number on particle breakage behavior. We validate the proposed modeling by comparing the numerical results with the experimental data reported in the literature, in terms of the variability of particle tensile strength and axial force–displacement responses. Based on the numerical results, it is clear that a larger particle size entails a higher tensile strength with a larger discreteness. In addition, the characteristic tensile strength increases linearly with an increasing coordination number. Moreover, smaller particles are more susceptible to the cushion effect than larger particles. The numerical results also indicate that an increasing coordination number induces a more ductile mode of failure. Based on these results, we propose an empirical equation for calculating tensile strength, incorporating both the cushion effect and the size effect.

本文使用离散元素方法对单颗粒破碎测试期间的尺寸和缓冲效果进行建模。我们提出简化的数值模型，以检查粒径和配位数对颗粒破碎行为的影响。通过将数值结果与文献中报道的实验数据进行比较，我们就颗粒抗拉强度和轴向力-位移响应的变化性来验证所提出的模型。根据数值结果，很明显，较大的粒径需要较高的拉伸强度和较大的不连续性。此外，特征拉伸强度随着配位数的增加而线性增加。而且，较小的颗粒比较大的颗粒更容易受到缓冲作用。数值结果还表明，增加的配位数会导致更大的延性失效模式。基于这些结果，我们提出了一个计算抗拉强度的经验公式，其中包括了缓冲效应和尺寸效应。