CT-based 3D Reconstruction and CDEM Simulation of Mechanical Behavior in Conglomerates

CT-based 3D Reconstruction and CDEM Simulation of Mechanical Behavior in Conglomerates | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article CT-based 3D Reconstruction and CDEM Simulation of Mechanical Behavior in Conglomerates Zehao Xu, Xiangjun Liu, Haiyang Zhao, Lixi Liang, Jianru Gou This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-9170933/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Revision Version 1 posted 9 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract The study of conglomerate mechanical properties is challenging due to their inherent heterogeneity and the limitations of conventional testing methods, which often yield highly scattered data. This research develops an integrated methodology combining CT-based 3D reconstruction with continuum-based discrete element method (CDEM) simulations to investigate conglomerate mechanical behavior. A novel calibration framework is introduced that leverages indentation hardness tests to provide independent physical constraints on the gravel-matrix strength ratio. The framework adopts a 5% error threshold grounded in established rock mechanics literature as the accuracy criterion for macroscopic mechanical parameters. It also employs post-failure CT imaging to validate simulated fracture patterns against experimental observations at the mesoscopic scale. Using this validated approach, the effects of interface strength, gravel-matrix strength ratio, gravel content, spatial distribution, and particle size on mechanical properties are systematically investigated. Results reveal that high-strength interfaces enhance mechanical strength by restricting fracture propagation. Conglomerates with a gravel-to-matrix strength ratio of 1.5 demonstrate strong damage resistance, while those with ratios of 2-2.5 resist deformation more effectively. Predictive curves illustrate the relationship between gravel content and mechanical parameters; influenced by spatial distribution variations, mechanical parameters exhibit fluctuations around the curve, with compressive strength variability peaking at 25% gravel content. Specific gravel radii improve structural stability, yielding maximum compressive strength and elastic modulus. This study provides new insights into conglomerate mechanical properties and establishes a transferable methodology for simulating other heterogeneous geomaterials. Conglomerate Mechanical properties CT scanning 3D reconstruction Continuum-based discrete element method (CDEM) Full Text Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Revision Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Revision requested 29 Apr, 2026 Reviews received at journal 15 Apr, 2026 Reviews received at journal 08 Apr, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 07 Apr, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 07 Apr, 2026 Reviewers invited by journal 01 Apr, 2026 Editor assigned by journal 25 Mar, 2026 Submission checks completed at journal 25 Mar, 2026 First submitted to journal 19 Mar, 2026 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-9170933","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":617245045,"identity":"e879eeaf-38c9-4efa-925d-ae45525ba2ae","order_by":0,"name":"Zehao Xu","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAArElEQVRIiWNgGAWjYFACHhBhw8PP30CaljQZyRkHSNNy2MagIYFIDfLtvQeYedvO8xgwHGD88DGHCC2MPecSGGe23eYxZ25glpy5jQgtzBI5BgwfgVosGw6wMfMSo4VN/o0BQ2LbOR6DAwlEauGR4AHZcoAELRI8OQaMM84l80jOONhMnF/k288YMPOU2dnz8zcf/PCRGC1AwP4DQjM2EKd+FIyCUTAKRgFhAABScC7dhYLXEAAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==","orcid":"","institution":"Engineering Technology Research Institute of Sinopec Northwest Oil Field Branch","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Zehao","middleName":"","lastName":"Xu","suffix":""},{"id":617245046,"identity":"7fc9c2ca-c55b-4faf-a32f-d2fcc5264960","order_by":1,"name":"Xiangjun Liu","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Southwest Petroleum University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Xiangjun","middleName":"","lastName":"Liu","suffix":""},{"id":617245047,"identity":"e64c8ef8-414b-4676-b55a-6fcef1dbab16","order_by":2,"name":"Haiyang Zhao","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Engineering Technology Research Institute of Sinopec Northwest Oil Field Branch","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Haiyang","middleName":"","lastName":"Zhao","suffix":""},{"id":617245048,"identity":"82c743f4-d2ab-4ccc-b2af-073735a53b81","order_by":3,"name":"Lixi Liang","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Southwest Petroleum University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Lixi","middleName":"","lastName":"Liang","suffix":""},{"id":617245049,"identity":"39b13667-726b-43cc-a3af-e9da348c2e0e","order_by":4,"name":"Jianru Gou","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Engineering Technology Research Institute of Sinopec Northwest Oil Field Branch","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Jianru","middleName":"","lastName":"Gou","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2026-03-19 14:56:19","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-9170933/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-9170933/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":106247103,"identity":"e63e3685-a95e-495d-bdba-a0326481c1c9","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-04-06 16:11:17","extension":"pdf","order_by":1,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":980762,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"MainDocument.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-9170933/v1_covered_49c4a6ad-6ba0-43d6-927a-14a3672cc08d.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"CT-based 3D Reconstruction and CDEM Simulation of Mechanical Behavior in Conglomerates","fulltext":[],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":false,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":true,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":true,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"discover-applied-sciences","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"Learn more about [Discover Applied Sciences](https://link.springer.com/journal/42452)","snPcode":"42452","submissionUrl":"https://submission.springernature.com/new-submission/42452/3","title":"Discover Applied Sciences","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Discover Series","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Conglomerate, Mechanical properties, CT scanning, 3D reconstruction, Continuum-based discrete element method (CDEM)","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-9170933/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-9170933/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eThe study of conglomerate mechanical properties is challenging due to their inherent heterogeneity and the limitations of conventional testing methods, which often yield highly scattered data. 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