A Digital Crushing Simulation Method for Aggregates That Considers Three-Dimensional Morphology and Lithological Characteristics

Conventional rock blasting produces large rock masses that do not fully meet engineering construction requirements. Therefore, mechanical crushing technology is necessary to reduce these masses into crushed stone of a specific particle size. Consequently, enhancing the comprehensive utilisation rate of excavated materials and exploring new application avenues has become critical. Initial crushing experiments were conducted on limestone of varying strengths. Based on the measured parameters, simulation experiments were performed to analyse the accuracy of crushing particles of different strengths. Cube specimens confirmed that the created crushing model accurately reflects the actual crushing behaviour of particles with different strengths. A Structure Sensor 3D scanner was used to scan representative shapes of rock particles. Software processing yielded the true three-dimensional apparent morphology of the rock material. Combined with physical crushing tests and simulation experiments, this confirmed that the developed crushing model accurately reflects the actual crushing behaviour of rock particles when their true morphology is considered. The research findings demonstrate that the digital crushing model can accurately depict the crushing process and particle size distribution of rock materials with different lithological characteristics and true morphology.