SPH-FEM simulations of microwave-treated basalt strength

Microwave precondition has been highlighted as a promising technology for softening the rock mass prior to rock breakage by machine to reduce drill bit/cutter wear as well as inverse production rate. To numerically explore the effect of numerical parameters on rock static strength simulation, and determine the numerical mechanical parameters of microwave-treated basalts for future drilling and cutting simulations, numerical models of uniaxial compression strength (UCS) and Brazilian tensile strength (BTS) were established with the coupling of smoothed particle hydrodynamics and finite element method (SPH-FEM). To eliminate the large rock strength errors caused by microwave-induced damage, the cohesion and internal friction angle of microwave-treated basalt specimens with the same microwave treatment parameters were calibrated based on a linear Mohr-Coulomb theory. Based on parametric sensitivity analysis of SPH simulation of UCS and BTS, experimental UCS and BTS values were simultaneously captured according to the same set of calibrated cohesion and internal friction angle data, and the UCS modeling results are in good agreement with experimental tests. Furthermore, the effect of microwave irradiation parameter on the basalt mechanical behaviors was evaluated.