FRACTURE ANALYSES OF MEDIA COMPOSED OF IRREGULARLY SHAPED REGIONS BY THE EXTENDED DISTINCT ELEMENT METHOD

Abstract

Analysis of a medium which consists of irregularly shaped regions is a major problem in the DEM studies. A new method for solving this problem is proposed. We developed the Extended Distinct Element Method (EDEM) and applied it to problems of fracture behavior in media composed of irregularly shaped regions. An aggregate of circular (2-D) or spherical (3-D) elements connected by pore-springs constitutes an irregularly shaped region, and is called the "Combined Discrete Element (CDE)". The concept of the CDE has greatly broadened application of the EDEM as the behavior of an anisotropic medium composed of variously shaped regions can be easily studied; moreover, cracks within the CDE as well as complete fracture of the CDE can be simulated automatically.