LAUSR

Abstract A conical pick is an essential cutting tool used particularly on mining excavators. The cutting performance and wear of the pick directly affect the efficiency and cost of the rock/mine excavation. In this research, to better understand the mechanism of rock fragmentation using a conical pick and the wear mechanism of the pick itself, a numerical model of rock fragmentation when using a conical pick was established. Linear cutting experiments using conical picks were conducted on rock to validate the simulation results. The results indicate that the elemental damage in the crushed zone shows a plastic behavior, whereas crack failures mainly demonstrate a brittle behavior. Moreover, a “V” type caving area is formed from the caving of rock caused by an extrusion between the pick and rock. Finally, the reaction force in the back face of the pick is the main reason for the pick wear, and the main interaction is the mutual compression and friction with the rock.