Particle flow analysis of macroscopic and microscopic mechanical properties of Brazilian disc containing a hole under splitting test

Discrete element model of Brazilian disc with single hole under splitting test was built in Particle Flow Code (PFC) to investigate its mechanical characteristics. The influence of radius ratios and eccentricity on stiffness and tensile strength were studied. And crack propagation patterns were discussed based on microscopic fracture mechanism and stress distribution. The results show that the stiffness and tensile strength rise with the increase of radius ratio and decrease as the decline of eccentricity. And main cracks aloof from the hole gradually as eccentricity increases, whereas secondary cracks change alternatively with the increase of eccentricity. Boundary energy and total number of micro-cracks decrease with the increase of radius ratio and decrease with the decline of eccentricity. There is a positive correlation between them. Radius ratios and eccentricity both contribute to crack propagation processes, force chains distributions and energy evolution. © 2019, Editorial Board of Journal of CUMT. All right reserved.