Influence of Biotite Content on the Mechanical Response of Granite Using a Novel Three-Dimensional Grain-Based Model and Force Chain Analysis

Abstract

In this study, a three-dimensional grain-based model based on the discrete element method is utilized to replicate the heterogeneous structure of crystalline granite, and corresponding laboratory tests are conducted to validate the numerical conclusions. A novel model and an analytical method involving a multilevel force chain network are employed to quantitatively investigate the influence of mineral content on the mechanical behavior of granites. First, a set of granite specimens with varying biotite contents is constructed, and then, uniaxial compression tests are conducted. The effects of the mineral content on the mechanical behavior, force chain network characteristics, and fracture resistance of granite specimens are quantitatively analyzed. The results indicate an inverse relationship between the biotite (V B ) content and the load-bearing capacity of granite under uniaxial compression conditions. As V B increases, the number of contacts within the biotite structure increases, as does the force chain distribution density within the biotite structure, while the force chain distribution density in other intragranular structures correspondingly decreases. The average values and sum values of all of the force chains in the whole specimen decrease with increasing V B . Among the various structures, intragranular structures exhibit the highest fracture resistance, whereas intergranular structures exhibit lower resistance.