In this study, the 3-dimensional discrete element method is firstly introduced to explain the fracturing damage process of the dynamic split experiment of a special brittle glass ZnS. The corresponding dynamic split experiment is also performed by using the split Hopkinson pressure bar. Then the numerical results correspond closely to those obtained by experiments, and the fracturing damage mode shows that the sample under high strain rate loading would crack along vertical diameter in the band region between two loading edges, which differs from the static damage mode. Furthermore, by comparing a group of contrast numerical tests, the numerical results prove that loading area upon the top side of samples would influence the fracture mode of dynamic split experiments, which indicates that the narrow loading plane is better.
