A coupled contact heat transfer and thermal cracking model for discontinuous and granular media

In this study, a coupled contact heat transfer and thermal cracking model is proposed for discontinuous/granular media based on the computational framework of Finite-Discrete Element Method (FDEM). The model considers heat conduction within the continuum and heat transfer through contacts between discontinuous or granular materials, as well as the combined effects of contact heat transfer and thermal cracking. The numerical model is validated against theoretical solutions through several examples. Moreover, the effects of the thermal contact conductance, the influence of thermal cracks on heat transfer are investigated. Two examples of heat transfer and thermal cracking in granular/block materials are provided. A sensitivity analysis indicates that the thermal cracking model can provide statistically converged results for simulating thermal cracks. All these numerical examples demonstrate the excellent capability of the model, which can be applied to a wide range of continuous and discontinuous media, such as granular materials, ceramics, concrete, rock mass, and so on. (C) 2020 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Automated summary

A coupled contact heat transfer and thermal cracking model for discontinuous/granular media based on the FDEM framework is proposed in this study. The model considers heat conduction within the continuum, heat transfer through contacts, and the effects of contact heat transfer and thermal cracking. Numerical examples validate the model's capability and sensitivity analysis shows statistically converged results for simulating thermal cracks.