Lattice Discrete Particle Model (LDPM) for pressure-dependent inelasticity in granular rocks

TL;DR

This paper introduces a Lattice Discrete Particle Model (LDPM) that effectively simulates the pressure-dependent inelastic behavior of granular rocks, capturing heterogeneity and strain localization across various stress conditions.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel LDPM framework calibrated for granular rocks, capable of modeling complex inelastic responses and strain localization phenomena.

Findings

LDPM accurately reproduces experimental stress-strain behavior.

The model captures different modes of strain localization.

LDPM demonstrates versatility across various geomechanical conditions.

Abstract

This paper deals with the formulation, calibration, and validation of a Lattice Discrete Particle Model (LDPM) for the simulation of the pressure-dependent inelastic response of granular rocks. LDPM is formulated in the framework of discrete mechanics and it simulates the heterogeneous deformation of cemented granular systems by means of discrete compatibility/equilibrium equations defined at the grain scale. A numerical strategy is proposed to generate a realistic microstructure based on the actual grain size distribution of a sandstone and the capabilities of the method are illustrated with reference to the particular case of Bleurswiller sandstone, i.e. a granular rock that has been extensively studied at the laboratory scale. LDPM micromechanical parameters are calibrated based on evidences from triaxial experiments, such as hydrostatic compression, brittle failure at low confinement and plastic behavior at high confinement. Results show that LDPM allows exploring the effect of fine-scale heterogeneity on the inelastic response of rock cores, achieving excellent quantitative performance across a wide range of stress conditions. In addition, LDPM simulations demonstrate its capability of capturing different modes of strain localization within a unified mechanical framework, which makes this approach applicable for a wide variety of geomechanical settings. Such promising performance suggests that LDPM may constitute a viable alternative to existing discrete numerical methods for granular rocks, as well as a versatile tool for the interpretation of their complex deformation/failure patterns and for the development of continuum models capturing the effect of micro-scale heterogeneity.