Scale effect of aggregate rupture: Using the relationship between friability and fractal dimension to parameterise discrete element models

Accurate modelling of porous aggregate rupture is critical when simulating natural phenomena involving material fragmentation and seeking to improve technological processes. For this, numerical models based on the discrete element method must be parameterised, which is a challenging task. It is even more challenging in the case of scale-variant materials, e.g. agricultural soils. In numerical simulations based on theoretical considerations, we identified a linear correlation between friability and fractal dimension for porous aggregates, with particle bond strength defining the rate at which friability coefficient diminished with fractal increment. By combining numerical simulation results with laboratory measurements, we established a unique use for friability as a material macro property to determine particle bond strength and density for different aggregate sizes. This allows parameterisation of discrete element models to simulate how tensile strength varies as a function of aggregate size. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.