On the application of RHT model and SPG algorithm for the analysis of rock cutting process

The linear cutting process in rock poses challenges for verification in field experiments, laboratory investigations, or numerical simulations. This study aims to analyze the rock cutting process and disc cutter force estimation when using linear cutting mode. Three-dimensional numerical simulations using the explicit dynamic finite element method (LS-DYNA software) are conducted to characterize the cutting process. In this regard, two computational algorithms (Lagrangian and Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH)) and two material models (Johnson-Holmquist Concrete (JHC) and Riedel-Hiermaier-Thoma (RHT)) are compared, with SPH and RHT identified as more suitable for rock cutting simulation. The results of comparative analyses show that the Lagrangian computational algorithm is highly dependent on the erosion value, hence this method is not suitable for the simulation of the rock-cutting process. Comparing to the RHT material constitutive model, the Johnson-Holmquist model does not well model the post-failure softening strain behavior, which leads to a reduction in the width of the failure area. The comparative analyses also show that the normal and rolling forces predicted by the JHC model are well over 30% higher than the actual experimental results, while the RHT model shows a good agreement between the predictions and the actual results. Overall, the RHT material model with the use of the SPH computational algorithm shows a very good combination in rock cutting process simulation.