Hard rock disintegration process and its numerical solution

Abstract

This paper is focused on a numerical analysis of the hard rock (ore) disintegration process. There is discussed the possibility of using computational modelling for the mechanical contact problem between the hard rock and a cutting bit. The bit (i.e. an excavation tool with a flat frontal side and a conical edge) moves and sinks into the hard rock and subsequently disintegrates it. The whole problem of the hard rock disintegration process (i.e. stress-strain relationship, contact forces, reaction forces and fracture of the ore) is solved via Finite Element Method (MSC.MARC/MENTAT software). The rock disintegration process was solved via deactivation of finite elements which satisfy conditions of fracture. Some results (i.e. reaction forces in the cutting bit) are also compared with experiments.