An investigation on the particle breakage of Indian River sands

Engineering properties of sands mainly depend on the integrity of the particles which in turn has a strong bearing on their crushing strength. The crushing strength and hence the breakage characteristics of sands are mainly affected by its particle morphology (shape, size, angularity), particle composition (void ratio and gradation), loading conditions and the mineralogical composition. This paper examines the effect of these parameters on the crushing characteristics of six different river sands. One-dimensional compression loading was applied and grain size analyses were performed before and after each stage of the loading. As obtained from the results, more breakage was observed in sands that consists of less quartz percentage. Moreover, there exist distinct relationships between the particle breakage with initial sample void ratio, grain morphology and the applied stress. Progressive change in the shape, size and gradation of the sand samples with increase in the stress is also presented and discussed in this paper. Finally, with the help of a regression analysis, an equation is proposed to determine the particle breakage value of the sands. The computed values are found to be in good agreement with those obtained from the experimental investigations. In view of the fact that the relative breakage is influenced by many of the sand parameters, the model developed in the present study should be very useful for predicting the crushing characteristics of sands.