Experimental and DEM Validation of Ceramsite’s Influence on Axial Compression Behavior of Adobe Materials

To study the influence of ceramsite on the mechanical behavior and deformation characteristics of the Yellow River sediment‐based adobe materials, the uniaxial compression particle model was constructed by discrete element software based on the indoor uniaxial compression test, and then the stress–strain characteristics, energy, and crack evolution laws of the Yellow River sediment‐based adobe materials were systematically studied under uniaxial compression load after adding ceramsite. The results show that (1) The addition of ceramsite has a detrimental effect on the mechanical properties, peak stress, and peak strain of Yellow River sediment‐based adobe materials. However, it enhances their thermal insulation performance and ductility. Specifically, at a ceramsite content of 15 wt%, the thermal conductivity decreases by 55.0%, while the peak stress and peak strain decrease by 24.6% and 20.9%, respectively. Meanwhile, the ductility improves by 14.6%. (2) The changing trend of the specimen’s strain energy and relative toughness is similar to that of the peak stress. The total strain energy development is divided into three branches, and the energy release rate of 3 and 6 wt% specimens is the slowest. (3) Based on the DEM, the stress–strain curve of the Yellow River sediment‐based adobe materials under the change of ceramsite is basically consistent with the actual test results. During the axial compression test, the fracture contact and force chain are mainly concentrated around the ceramsite particles. The interfacial transition zone between the ceramsite and the matrix is first destroyed, and micro‐cracks appear.