Extension and compression tests mechanical behaviors of bonded granules with different bond widths

In order to establish a new bond failure criterion considering different bonded widths to be used in three-dimensional distinct element modelling, another three kinds of bond widths (i.e., 8, 12 and 14 mm) between granules are investigated based on the previous work. Then, a series of extension and compression tests are carried out on cemented aluminum balls with three different bond widths, from which the bond failure criteria are obtained considering different bonded widths under tension and compression. The test results show that the tensile and compressive strengths both increase non-linearly with the bond width. The curves of the relationship between the tension and normal displacement exhibit elastic brittle failure. However, those between the compression and normal displacement are influenced by the bond width. The curves more probably show plastic failure if the bond width is larger, while those of the specimens with smaller bond width more probably show brittle-plastic failure.