Experimental study of the influence of mineral composition on sand crushing

Sand particles crush when subjected to large stresses. Crushing susceptibility is dependent on particle characteristics (particle size, shape, roughness, fracture toughness), packing properties (void ratio, coordination, gradation), and mode of loading (stress magnitude, stress path; Vesic & Clough, 1968; Coop, 1990; Hagerty et al., 1993; Lade et al., 1996; McDowell & Bolton, 1998; Nakata et al., 1999; Nakata et al., 2001). In addition, time-rate effects, pore fluid characteristics and temperature can affect the crushing susceptibility of particular minerals (McDowell & Khan, 2003; Nakata et al., 2003; Caban, 2004; Chester...