Numerical study of rock and concrete behaviour by discrete element modelling

A discrete element method (DEM) is used to model both the dynamic and non-l inear behaviour of rocks, with a particular focus on a Villejust quartzite and a MB50 type microconcrete. This numerical method has been chosen becaus e, with a description of the medium as an assembly of discrete elements, da mage and fragmentation phenomena. can be easily simulated. Compact and isot ropic synthetic media are generated automatically and are used to investiga te the mechanical behaviour of these low-porosity materials. In the case of microconcrete, the model considers the two-phase, aggregate and cement med ium, at a mesoscopic scale. The adjustment of local parameters is obtained by static uniaxial compression simulations. Quantitative results of dynamic tests of plate impacts and hemispherical explosions obtained with the DEM shows how highly appropriate this method is. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.