A Comparison of Discrete Element and Micromechanical Methods for Determining the Effective Elastic Properties of Geomaterials

摘要

Data generated from scanning electron microscopy images of oil-shale geomaterials are used to generate configurations and to acquire parameters required for use in homogenization schemes for the determination of the effective elastic properties of the samples. Two alternative homogenization methods are employed: numerical simulation using the Discrete Element Method and the Polycrystalline Self-Consistent Method from micromechanics. The schemes give rise to predictions of the effective elastic properties that are in very good agreement.