Meso-scale analysis of the aggregate size influence on the mechanical properties of heterogeneous materials using the Brazilian splitting test

The results of the numerical simulations show the ability of the meso-scale model to evaluate the mechanical failure in the context of the Brazilian splitting test. Also, the results show that (1) the maximum tensile stress, (2) the fracture energy and (3) the maximum crack opening are all have been increased when the aggregate diameter was increased.