The paper reports discrete element simulations of the diametrical compression test applied to two spherical agglomerates: one a dense agglomerate and the other a loosely packed agglomerate. The results obtained for the dense agglomerate show that the agglomerate fractures along a slightly inclined, approximately diametrical plane. Outwardly, the agglomerate shows all the characteristics of brittle fracture but half of the final number of broken bonds was progressively broken during loading. In the simulation on the loose agglomerate, significant flattening occurred at the platens and the agglomerate failed by crushing. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.