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DEM-PBM Simulation of Sandstone Fragmentation Under Blasting
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DOI：10.1007/s00603-026-05645-2.png)
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Abstract
En 中文
Rock fragmentation simulation via blasting is widely employed in the numerical analysis of tunnel contour control and ore recovery in mining engineering. However, prevailing simulation methods exhibit significant limitations in capturing the dynamic rock fragmentation process induced by explosive combustion and subsequent gas expansion. This study developed a coupled Discrete Element Method (DEM) and Particle Blasting Method (PBM) model to simulate the blasting of sandstone cylinders. The model incorporated data from mineral composition analysis and blasting tests, accounting for mineral proportions and grain size. The DEM parameters for sandstone were calibrated against data from uniaxial compression tests (UCT) and Brazilian splitting tests (BST). The calibrated model was validated by comparing the fragmentation characteristics of simulated and physically tested sandstone cylinders under blast loading, with the experimental fragments analysed using 3D scanning technology. The close agreement between the simulations and experiments confirms the validity of the coupled DEM-PBM model for simulating sandstone blasting. The fragment size distribution (FSD) was accurately quantified by applying image processing techniques to the simulation results. The simulations demonstrate that the coupled DEM-PBM approach effectively captures crack propagation and fragmentation dynamics in sandstone under explosive combustion and gas expansion. Furthermore, the model accurately reproduces the resultant FSD under varying charge quantities. The influence of mineral composition and particle size distribution on the fragmentation of sandstone cylinders was subsequently investigated. Finally, comparisons of the crack networks generated by the traditional Finite Element Method (FEM) and the present DEM-PBM simulations further validate the accuracy of the proposed numerical approach for simulating sandstone blasting. The findings confirm that the proposed simulation offers a robust framework for analysing the dynamic processes of gas expansion and dispersion following explosive combustion, rock disintegration, and the characteristics of the resulting FSD. Within the DEM blasting model, the particle size distribution significantly influences the resulting fragmentation patterns. This approach provides practical insights for optimizing blasting outcomes in tunneling and mining operations.
Keywords:
DEM-PBM coupled model
Numerical simulation
Sandstone blasting
Rock fragmentation
Fragment size distribution
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