Abstract: In this paper the beam-particle model at a fine structural scale is presented for analysis of the progressive failure of such brittle disordered materials as sandstone by diffe rent loadings.In the model,the media are divided as an assembly of particle elements linked by elastic brittle beam elements.The mechanical behaviour of particle elements is determined by the distinct element method and finite element method.As soon as a particular beam element is stressed beyond its assigned strength it is removed from the computation in simulation of the rupturing of the material.Two physical experiments are performed to verify the numerical results.The rupturing model and load-displacement response obtained are in good agreement with the experimental results.Moreover,the influence of heterogeneity on fracture patterns is also discussed and the correlation between the fracture distribution and the loads imposed is characterized in fractal dimensions.