Characterisation of rock properties using texture-based modelling - a geometallurgical approach

Realistic texture-based modelling methods, i.e. microstructural modelling and micromechanical modelling, are developed to simulate the rock aggregate breakage properties on the basis of the rock actual microstructure obtained using microscopic observations and image analysis. The breakage properties of three types of rocks taken from three quarries in Sweden, in single aggregate breakage tests and inter-aggregate breakage tests are then modelled using the proposed methods. The microstructural modelling directly integrates the microscopic observation, image analysis and numerical simulation together and provides a valuable tool to investigate the mechanical properties of rock aggregates on the basis of their microstructure properties. The micromechanical modelling takes the most important microstructure properties of rock aggregates into consideration and can model the major mechanical properties. The prospects to use the developed approach in geometallurgy is then briefly discussed.