Micro-macro breakage behavior of elastic-plastic granulates by compression

Abstract

This paper presents the breakage behavior of a zeolite granulate in compression tests. The compression behavior of this granulate is described by means of a force-displacement curve, the application of Hertz-Huber contact theory, and continuum mechanics. The effects of granulate size and stressing velocity on the breakage force and contact stiffness during elastic and elastic-plastic deformation are examined. It is shown that the zeolite granulates with elastic-plastic behavior have viscous properties as well. The breakage probability is approximated by the Weibull distribution function. The behavior of the granulates during compression under conditions of repeated loading-unloading was investigated. © 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.