Multi-particle finite element modelling of the compression of iron ore pellets with statistically distributed geometric and material data

The multi-particle finite element method (MPFEM) is used to simulate confined compression of iron ore pellets. The confined compression test consists of a cylindrical steel tube and two compressive platens. The iron ore pellets are confined by the tools and compressed. In the MPFEM model of the test, the iron ore pellets are represented by 1680 finite element (FE) discretised particles (7-16 mm). The size, shape and material properties of the pellets are statistically distributed. The contacts are modelled using the penalty stiffness method and Coulomb friction. The compression is simulated in two steps. In the first step, the iron ore pellet models are sparsely placed in the computational model of the steel tube and a gravity-driven simulation is conducted to make the pellets arrange themselves randomly. In a second step, the compression is simulated by a prescribed motion of the upper compressive platen. From the MPFEM simulation, the stresses inside the individual pellet models are evaluated, and the fracture probability of the iron ore pellets is derived and compared with the experimental data. In addition, data on the global axial and radial stresses and axial displacement are presented and compared with the experimental confined compression test data. The MPFEM model can reproduce the fracture ratio of iron ore pellets in uniaxial confined compression and is a feasible method for virtual fracture experiments of iron ore pellets. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.