Abstract
Mining companies have been searching for innovative solutions to replace the conventional drill and blast method and mitigate the technological, environmental and safety issues associated with this excavation technique. To this end, experts have regarded microwave-assisted rock cutting as a promising alternative leading-edge technology. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of this method by means of a series of experimental and numerical investigations. Multiple strength degradation tests, together with calorimetric measurements, were performed on treated and untreated rock samples. In addition, a series of finite element and discrete element simulations were carried out to investigate the complex multi-physics phenomena responsible for microwave-induced failure in rock samples. Simulation results were compared and validated both qualitatively and quantitatively with experimental measurements. It was found that capturing the fully-coupled nature of the mechanical and thermo-electromagnetic mechanisms involved in the process is of importance in assessing the performance of this process. The results show that it is possible to improve the failures nucleate and progress in rocks in an effective manner.