Computed tomography-driven analysis of particle breakage using a coupled FDM–DEM approach

This study proposes a refined approach for simulating the mechanical behavior of soils under high stress by integrating the finite difference method–discrete element method (FDM–DEM) with in situ experiment. This novel framework incorporates advanced technologies such as flexible membrane and X-ray computed tomography (CT) to enhance the predictive capabilities of the simulation with physical insight. The FDM–DEM model adeptly simulates irregular particle shapes, capturing their interactions and the dynamics of particle breakage. The use of flexible membrane within the model further enriches this approach by enabling the capture of deformation responses in granular materials during shearing. Moreover, the adoption of CT technology facilitates continuous optimization of the simulation process. Validation through in situ experiments has confirmed the model’s effectiveness. The ability of the model to predict areas of high stress concentration—and their correlation with observed particle breakage patterns—underscores the utility of the enhanced FDM–DEM framework as a robust predictive tool for understanding the behavior of granular materials under shearing.