Modeling and simulation of the decohesion of particulate aggregates in a binding matrix

A model for the decohesion of aggregates of suspended particulate material in a binding matrix is developed. In the model cohesive zones which envelop each particle individually are introduced at the particulate/binder interf ace. During progressive loading, the deterioration of the cohesive zones is initiated if constraint places on the deterioration of he material at a po int is in the form of a reduction of the elasticity tensor's eigenvalues at that point. The material within the cohesive zones deteriorated until the constraint are met. In order to isolate and study the effects of interfacia l deterioration, outside of the cohesive zones, the material is unaltered. mathematical properties of the model, as well as physical restrictions, are discussed. Numerical simulations are performed employing the finite elemen t method to illustrate the approach in three-dimensional applications.