Numerical simulation of a laboratory jaw crusher

In this work, the PFC۳D discrete element method (DEM) software was employed tomodel the crushing behavior of a spherical specimen of Limestone in a laboratory jawcrusher. The rock was modeled as granular assemblies in the shape of a sphere locatedbetween two jaws, and the crushing behavior of it was studied. To verify the results,DEM model was discussed with respect to the stress distribution in the rock obtainedfrom finite difference analysis. The results show that tensile mode of fracturing isfavorably modeled by the PFC۳D software.