ABSTRACT
Mechanical rock breakage has been of interest in modern mining and civil construction industries for decades now. However, the rock fracture mechanism associated with rock cutting processes is not yet well understood due to complex interaction between the cutter and the rock. With recent advances in numerical simulation methods, these techniques have become powerful tools for investigating the early rock fracturing process. However, not all numerical modelling methods are able to simulate this process correctly. This paper uses a new extension of combined finite-discreet element method to simulate the mechanical rock breakage with a simple drag cutting tool. The modelling technique takes into account the mix-mode I-II fracture criteria in addition to mode I and mode II for predicting the initiation and propagation of the cracks. After calibration of input parameters against uniaxial compressive and Brazilian tensile strength tests, tool-rock interaction is simulated in three different cutting velocities.
