Modeling and simulation of the decohesion of particulate aggregates in a binding matrix

Abstract

A model for the decohesion of aggregates of suspended particulate material in a binding matrix is developed. In the model cohesive zones which envelop each particle individually are introduced at the particulate/binder interface. During progressive loading, the deterioration of the cohesive zones is initiated if constraints placed on the microstress fields are violated. In order for the material behavior to be energetically admissible, the deterioration of the material at a point is in the form of a reduction of the elasticity tensor’s eigenvalues at that point. The material within the cohesive zones deteriorates until the constraints are met. In order to isolate and study the effects of interfacial deterioration, outside of the cohesive zones, the material is unaltered. Mathematical properties of the model, as well as physical restrictions, are discussed. Numerical simulations are performed employing the finite element method to illustrate the approach in three‐dimensional applications.