Internal Structure and Breakage Behavior of Biogenic Carbonate Sand Grains

This study investigates the mechanical behavior of biogenic carbonate sands from Puerto Rico at grain-scale level. Micro-computed tomography has also been used to get insights on the internal structure of these particles before and after loading. The crushing strength of these particles are smaller comparing to the values reported for silica sands. It has also been shown that these particles have complex internal structure including a network of pores connected with channels. This study also demonstrates the effect of intragrain structure of biogenic carbonate sands and shows how internal grain structure plays a role on particle fracture.