Numerical modelling of the quasi-brittle behaviour of refractory ceramics by considering microcracks effect. Issue 3 (March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Asadi, Farid; André, Damien; Emam, Sacha; Doumalin, Pascal; Huger, Marc
• Is Part Of: Journal of the European Ceramic Society. Volume 42:Issue 3(2022)
• Page Start: 1149
• Page End: 1161
• Publication Date: 2022-03
• Subjects: Refractory ceramics -- Discrete element method (DEM) -- Fracture mechanics -- Thermal shock resistance -- Quasi-brittle mechanical behaviour; Ceramic materials -- Periodicals; Composite materials -- Periodicals; Matériaux céramiques -- Périodiques; Composites -- Périodiques; Ceramic materials; Composite materials; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 666.05
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jeurceramsoc.2021.11.016
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0955-2219

Abstract

Abstract: In the steelmaking industry, the inner lining of ladles is made of refractory ceramics, which are constantly subjected to thermal shocks during their service. Experimentally, it is observed that pre-existing microcracks could significantly increase the thermal shock resistance of these ceramics. The presence of such microcracks network within the refractory microstructure could lead to a non-linear quasi-brittle mechanical behaviour. To model this quasi-brittle behaviour, a suitable numerical approach is the Discrete Element Method (DEM), which can circumvent the limitations of more conventional continuum approaches in capturing microstructural effects required to simulate multi-fracture propagation. Here, it is aimed to simulate such quasi-brittle behaviour by initial well-distributed damages, with a strength dispersion following a Weibull distribution. In this way, the microcracks effect on the quasi-brittle behaviour of a numerical sample under uniaxial and cyclic tensile tests is investigated. Ultimately, a quantitative DEM model to simulate such a complex behaviour is proposed.