Optimization of a Computer Simulation Model for Packing of Concrete Aggregates

A simulation algorithm was developed for modeling the dense packing of large assemblies of particulate materials (in the order of millions). These assemblies represent the real aggregate systems of portland cement concrete. Two variations of the algorithm are proposed: sequential packing model and particle suspension model. A developed multicell packing procedure as well as fine adjustment of the algorithm's parameters were useful to optimize the computational resources (i.e., to realize the trade-off between the memory and packing time). Some options to speed up the algorithm and to pack very large volumes of spherical entities (up to 10 million) are discussed. The described procedure resulted in a quick method for packing of large assemblies of particulate materials. The influence of model variables on the degree of packing and the corresponding distribution of particles was analyzed. Based on the simulation results, different particle size distributions of particulate materials are correlated to their packing degree. The developed algorithm generates and visualizes dense packings corresponding to concrete aggregates. These packings show a good agreement with the standard requirements and available research data. The results of the research can be applied to the optimal proportioning of concrete mixtures.

[1]  Per Goltermann,et al.  Packing of aggregates : An alternative tool to determine the optimal aggregate mix , 1997 .

[2]  Paul Meakin,et al.  Random packings of spheres built with sequential models , 1992 .

[3]  Andrew G. Glen,et al.  APPL , 2001 .

[4]  W. Visscher,et al.  Random Packing of Equal and Unequal Spheres in Two and Three Dimensions , 1972, Nature.

[5]  Sanford E. Thompson,et al.  THE LAWS OF PROPORTIONING CONCRETE , 1907 .

[6]  Pierre M. Adler,et al.  GEOMETRICAL AND TRANSPORT PROPERTIES OF RANDOM PACKINGS OF SPHERES AND ASPHERICAL PARTICLES , 1997 .

[7]  P. A. Cundall,et al.  Computer Simulations of Dense Sphere Assemblies , 1988 .

[8]  Konstantin Sobolev,et al.  The development of a new method for the proportioning of high-performance concrete mixtures , 2004 .

[9]  K. Z. Y. Yen,et al.  A dynamic simulation of particle rearrangement in powder packings with realistic interactions , 1992 .

[10]  Akh Kwan,et al.  Effects of various shape parameters on packing of aggregate particles , 2001 .

[11]  Anishchik,et al.  Three-Dimensional Apollonian Packing as a Model for Dense Granular Systems. , 1995, Physical review letters.

[12]  Wim J. J. Soppe,et al.  Computer simulation of random packings of hard spheres , 1990 .

[13]  G. D. Scott,et al.  The radial distributions of a binary mixture of spheres , 1973 .

[14]  E. Garboczi,et al.  Three-dimensional mathematical analysis of particle shape using X-ray tomography and spherical harmonics : Application to aggregates used in concrete , 2002 .

[15]  Adil Amirjanov,et al.  The simulation of particulate materials packing using a particle suspension model , 2007 .

[16]  B. M. Fulk.  MATH , 1992 .

[17]  Adil Amirjanov,et al.  The development of a simulation model of the dense packing of large particulate assemblies , 2004 .

[18]  P. Le Goff,et al.  Effet de paroi dans les empilements désordonnés de sphères et application à la porosité de mélanges binaires , 1968 .

[19]  M. Stroeven,et al.  Assessment of packing characteristics by computer simulation , 1999 .

[20]  T Sedran,et al.  Optimization of ultra-high-performance concrete by the use of a packing model , 1994 .

[21]  Richard A Williams,et al.  A packing algorithm for particles of arbitrary shapes , 2001 .

[22]  Adil Amirjanov,et al.  Optimal proportioning of concrete aggregates using a self-adaptive genetic algorithm , 2005 .

[23]  Thomas M Truskett,et al.  Is random close packing of spheres well defined? , 2000, Physical review letters.