Simulation of rock cutting mechanism and characterization of failure mode in PFC3D

3rd ISRM Symposium on Rock Characterisation, Modelling and Engineering Design Methods, SINOROCK 2013 -- 18 June 2013 through 20 June 2013 -- Shanghai -- 97711
Rock cutting mechanisms were used for the prediction of the cutting performance of mechanical excavators in the mid of 1900s. However, rock cutting tests performed in the laboratory both in small and full scales have been successfully applied for the same purpose as a more realistic method for the last few decades. Daily advance rate, the specificenergy, and the performance of the excavation machine can accurately be predicted by means of those tests. In accordance with the advanced technology, the cutting tests can also be modeled by utilizing the discrete element method as in Particle Flow Code in 3D (PFC3D) and hence the performance of a machine can be assessedfrom this code as well. This paper initially summarizes the methods which have been applied to predict the forces. Then, rock cutting simulations by using a conical bit in PFC3D are discussed and the pick forces recordedin the course ofmodeling are given. The results are compared with the ones obtained from rock cutting mechanisms. In addition, an understanding of how discrete assemblies are failed during cutting and how the tool forces on the bit are influencedby the failure type are examined. © 2013 Taylor & Francis Group.