Implicit integration of simple breakage constitutive model for crushable granular materials: A numerical test

In the context of the recently developed breakage mechanics that is based on thermodynamics principles, this paper presents a mathematical modelling procedure to implement the simple (i.e., linear elastoplastic) breakage constitutive model using finite element analysis (FEA) with illustrations by engineering applications. More informative mathematical derivation procedures of energy dissipations, plastic potential, yield function and non-associated flow rules are presented. In contrast, the existing relevant publications often lack sufficient elaboration, leaving knowledge gaps in the full understanding the model. This is followed by a series of numerical simulations in ABAQUS to test the model at the constitutive level. Various isotropic and triaxial shear tests in drained or undrained conditions are tested to illustrate the key features of the breakage model, which seem to be overlooked in the literature. Finally, a few numerical results are compared with experimental shear tests to demonstrate the ability of the simple breakage model in reflecting mechanical responses of crushable granular aggregates. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.