A comprehensive parametric study of grain-based models for rock failure process simulation

Grain and contact are the two key components in 3DEC-GBMs (grain-based models) because they control the micro-mechanical behavior and consequently the macro-mechanical behavior of rock. Three types of grains – rigid, elastic, and breakable grains – are considered in this study to explore the influence of grain properties on the mechanical behavior of rock. Equivalent 2D plane strain problems are solved using 3DEC to reduce computation time. A...