Discrete element modelling of ellipsoidal particles using super-ellipsoids and multi-spheres: A comparative study

Abstract Two discrete element models, super-ellipsoid model and multi-sphere model, are employed in this paper to describe the ellipsoidal particles. And the packing and flow behavior of ellipsoidal particles are investigated by the discrete element method (DEM) simulation and experiment. To compare the two models for ellipsoid, three tests are conducted: (i) the packing of ellipsoidal particles in a rectangular container, (ii) the flow of ellipsoidal particles in a horizontal rotating drum, and (iii) the discharge of ellipsoidal particles from a flat bottom hopper. Simulation results show that the super-ellipsoid model can accurately reproduce the packing and flow behavior of ellipsoidal particles. In the simulations using multi-spheres, when the spheres are more in a multi-sphere particle, the accuracy of simulation is acceptable while the computational time is much longer than the super-ellipsoid model. When fewer spheres are used to approximate the ellipsoidal particle, the computational time can be saved while the accuracy of the simulation decreases.

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