Experimental study on lightweight expanded clay at particle level: Breakage of isolated grains

Abstract

In this study, more than 1500 particles of lightweight expanded clay aggregate (LECA) are individually loaded up to breakage, following different patterns of contact (from 2 to 7) using a purpose-built apparatus. Consequently, a statistical model for predicting the number of fragments into which a grain breaks as a function of the number of contacts and their diameter is proposed. The number of fragments is found to follow a statistical binomial-type distribution function that depends on the number of contacts. In addition, a model based on Bayesian networks, capable of assessing the number of fragments and their size (measured as normalized weight) as a function of the number of contacts, is implemented. The proposed method is applicable when performing discrete element method (DEM) simulations on granular media in which grain breakage plays a relevant role.

Keywords

• Lightweight expanded clay aggregate (LECA)
• Grain fragmentation
• Grain breakage
• Biaxial grain load