Mesomechanics coal experiment and an elastic-brittle damage model based on texture features

To accurately describe damage within coal, digital image processing technology was used to determine texture parameters and obtain quantitative information related to coal meso-cracks. The relationship between damage and mesoscopic information for coal under compression was then analysed. The shape and distribution of damage were comprehensively considered in a defined damage variable, which was based on the texture characteristic. An elastic-brittle damage model based on the mesostructure information of coal was established. As a result, the damage model can appropriately and reliably replicate the processes of initiation, expansion, cut-through and eventual destruction of microscopic damage to coal under compression. After comparison, it was proved that the predicted overall stress-strain response of the model was comparable to the experimental result.