ABSTRACT
For mechanical rock cutting modelling, the most appealing attribute of SPAM is its ability to fracture in a realistic manner without unduly compromising its ability for subsequent computation. Under expansive strain fields, SPAM will fracture numerically due to loss of communication between neighbours unless provisions are made for a comparable expansion of the smoothing length. Therefore, SPAM permits the study of the large deformations that occurs near the cutting tool without the loss of accuracy and stability associated with finite element analysis. The problems of
element inversion and material separation, which confound finite element analysis, are handled smoothly and resolution in the vicinity of the cutting tool is achieved in a natural and easy manner.
