Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• A coupled numerical model integrating COMSOL electrical breakdown and 4D-LSM mechanical analysis accurately simulates HVEP-induced rock fragmentation. • The model reveals the full fragmentation process under varying electrical parameters, highlighting the importance of plasma channel temperature in driving mechanical failure. • Confining pressure and mineral grain size significantly influence fragmentation efficiency and fracture patterns. • Optimization of electrode spacing is critical for achieving energy-efficient rock fragmentation, as demonstrated by parametric simulations across 25 combinations.
Abstract
High-voltage electric pulse (HVEP) rock fragmentation has demonstrated substantial potential for sustainable fracturing of hard rocks owing to its energy efficiency. The transient nature and highly disruptive characteristics of its physical fracturing process render experimental investigation of the underlying rock-breaking mechanisms challenging. However, existing numerical studies lack comprehensive models that precisely link electrical breakdown phenomena with mechanical disintegration processes. This study combines COMSOL electrical breakdown simulations with four-dimension lattice spring model (4D-LSM) mechanical analysis to establish a coupled HVEP rock fragmentation model. The core concept of the model construction is to import the temperature field of the plasma channel obtained from the electrical breakdown into the mechanical solver to realize the precise connection between the two stages. The validated numerical model elucidates the full process of HVEP-induced fragmentation under varying electrical parameters. Furthermore, the effects of confining pressure and mineral grain size on fragmentation behavior have been investigated. Finally, parametric simulations across 25 electrical parameter combinations demonstrate the critical role of electrode spacing optimization in achieving energy-efficient rock fragmentation. These findings provide a predictive tool for designing efficient HVEP systems in deep resource extraction and mineral processing engineering.
1. Introduction
The breakage of hard rocks has always been the core problem involved in the field of mining, tunnelling and geotechnical engineering. For thousands of years, humans have tried different kind of efforts to conquer this problem. Ancient civilizations used thermal shock to fracture rock by heating it to elevated temperatures followed by rapid cooling. Modern researchers also hope to solve the problem in the microwave [1,2], laser radiation [3,4], water jet [5,6], plasma jet [7,8] and other new technologies. However, it must be admitted that these rock breaking methods exhibit limitations, including high energy consumption, inefficiency, and environmental pollution, rendering them increasingly inadequate to meet the demands of modern engineering practices. In this context, high-voltage electric pulse (HVEP) technology for hard rock breakage has emerged as a promising alternative, garnering significant scientific and industrial attention [9].
As an interdisciplinary subject, HVEP technology has emerged in recent decades and is considered to be the closest to commercial rock-breaking method [10]. Its advantages of high efficiency fracturing [11], low energy consumption [12], selective crushing [13] and no pollution [14] have attracted researchers from all over the world to carry out experimental and numerical studies on it [15]. The reason why it has so many unique advantages is closely related to its underlying fracturing mechanism. The rock's electric breakdown field strength will be less than that of water when ultra-high voltages are applied near the rising edge (500 ns) of a shorter pulse [16]. Thus, the rock can be submerged in water to achieve preferential breakdown [17]. Subsequently, the huge current flow
Loading authentic research manuscript (Pages 1–5)...
Chenghui Liu, Qin Li, Fuxin Rui, Tubing Yin, Yang Zou, Gaofeng Zhao (2025). Coupled numerical modelling of high-voltage electric pulse (HVEP) rock fracturing using COMSOL and 4D-LSM. SinoTechIntel Verified Research. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmst.2025.12.014
Research & Educational Purpose Only:The translations, structured abstracts, analytical annotations, and data reports provided by SinoTechIntel are intended exclusively for academic research, internal corporate R&D, and educational benchmarking. They do not constitute formal engineering, chemical safety, legal, or professional advice.
Copyright & Intellectual Property Notice: Original copyright of the underlying source articles and experimental data remains with the respective authors, institutions, and original publishing journals. SinoTechIntel claims intellectual property only over its proprietary translations, analytical syntheses, and AEO structured enhancements in accordance with international fair use and academic citation principles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main contribution of this study?
The study establishes a coupled numerical model that integrates COMSOL electrical breakdown simulations with 4D-LSM mechanical analysis, enabling precise simulation of HVEP-induced rock fragmentation and providing insights into the underlying mechanisms.
How does the coupled model work?
The model imports the temperature field of the plasma channel obtained from electrical breakdown simulations into the mechanical solver (4D-LSM), linking the electrical and mechanical stages to simulate the full fragmentation process.
What factors were investigated in the parametric study?
The study investigated the effects of confining pressure, mineral grain size, and various electrical parameters (including electrode spacing) on fragmentation behavior, with 25 combinations tested.
Why is electrode spacing optimization important?
Parametric simulations showed that electrode spacing significantly affects energy efficiency and fragmentation outcomes, highlighting its critical role in designing efficient HVEP systems.
What are the practical applications of this research?
The findings provide a predictive tool for designing efficient HVEP systems in deep resource extraction and mineral processing engineering, potentially improving energy efficiency and reducing environmental impact.
Related Technical Papers & Translations
A Novel Approach for Enhanced Brain Tumor Segmentation Using Multimodal MRI and Deep Learning
Brain tumor segmentation from multimodal MRI is crucial for diagnosis and treatment planning. In this study, we propose a novel deep learning framework that integrates structural and functional imaging modalities to improve segmentation accuracy. Our method employs a multi-scale attention mechanism and a hybrid loss function to handle class imbalance and boundary ambiguity. Evaluated on the BraTS benchmark, our approach achieves state-of-the-art performance, with Dice scores of 0.91, 0.87, and 0.84 for whole tumor, core, and enhancing tumor, respectively. Furthermore, we demonstrate the generalizability of our model across different scanners and protocols. Our findings suggest that the proposed method can significantly aid clinical decision-making and surgical planning.
Investigation of coupled acoustic and electrical responses and early warning approaches during re-loading of damaged coal
Initial damage from engineering disturbances in deep coal mining degrades mechanical properties and heightens dynamic-hazard risks, challenging conventional monitoring. This study probes the coupled acoustic-electrical responses of initially damaged coal under reloading and develops a multi-parameter, multi-level dynamic integrated early-warning model. Using a true-triaxial Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) system, we prepared specimens with graded damage by varying static deviatoric stresses and dynamic impacts. Uniaxial compression reloading was conducted with synchronous acoustic emission (AE) and resistivity monitoring. Joint time-domain responses of force, acoustics, and electricity delineated distinct loading stages. Time-frequency features were extracted via Fourier and wavelet transforms; crack architecture was quantified by 3D AE localization and fractal-dimension analysis. Initial damage markedly reduced load-bearing capacity. Resistivity decreased sharply with increasing deviatoric stress, while cumulative AE counts increased strongly. The AE spectrum evolved from bimodal to broadband with low- and high-frequency enhancement. The resistivity spectrum showed progressive bandwidth broadening, energy amplification, and high-frequency advancement. The AE spatial fractal dimension rose significantly during compaction. An integrated warning system combining multiscale entropy fusion, Temporal Convolutional Network (TCN)-Transformer forecasting, recurrence-network analysis, and a Bayesian framework yielded a 28.4 s lead time, offering a theoretical basis and technical pathway for intelligent prevention of dynamic hazards.
Influence of aggregate particle size on fracture behavior and energy evolution of cemented rockfill in the post-peak stage
Cemented rockfill (CRF) combines structural support with sustainable reuse of coal-derived solid waste. This study integrates digital image correlation, acoustic emission monitoring, and finite–discrete element simulations to investigate mechanical behavior, fracture development, and energy evolution of CRF containing 54% aggregate content with three grain-size distributions (5–10, 10–20, and 20–30 mm). Results indicate finer aggregates raise compressive strength and elastic modulus, and increase post-peak softening and residual stiffness. Fracture patterns transition from dominantly unidirectional failure in coarse specimens to pronounced X-shaped conjugate shear in fine specimens, with cracks initiating at boundaries and propagating inward. The proportion of failed joints at comparable strains decreases markedly with finer gradation, reflecting a more homogeneous crack network that enhances post-peak load retention and produces frequent minor stress fluctuations. Energy analyses reveal a coarse > medium > fine ordering in cumulative dissipation; however, finer aggregates delay rapid kinetic and dissipative energy release, promoting slower energy redistribution and improved load resistance. These findings quantify how aggregate gradation controls deformational mechanisms, crack topology, and energy partitioning, and provide design guidance for optimizing aggregate size and cementitious composition to enhance ductility, energy absorption, and structural reliability of CRF in underground engineering.