Shape representation of axi‐symmetrical, non‐spherical particles in discrete element simulation using multi‐element model particles

A new method of representing non‐spherical, smooth‐surfaced, axi‐symmetrical particles in discrete element (DE) simulation using model particles comprising overlapping spheres of arbitrary size whose centres are fixed in position relative to each other along the major axis of symmetry of the particle is presented. Contact detection and calculation of force‐deformation and particle movement is achieved using standard DE techniques modified to integrate the behaviour of each element sphere with that of the multi‐element particle to which it belongs. The method enables the dynamic behaviour of particles of high aspect ratio and irregular curvature (in two dimensions) to be modelled. The use of spheres to represent a particle takes advantage of the computational speed and accuracy of contact detection for spheres, which should make the method comparable in computational efficiency to alternative schemes for representing non‐spherical particles.

[1]  Otis R. Walton,et al.  Particle-Dynamics Calculations of Shear Flow , 1982 .

[2]  C. Thornton,et al.  Distinct element simulation of impact breakage of lactose agglomerates , 1997 .

[3]  Arun Shukla,et al.  The effect of microstructural fabric on dynamic load transfer in two dimensional assemblies of elliptical particles , 1996 .

[4]  John M. Ting,et al.  Effect of particle shape on the strength and deformation mechanisms of ellipse‐shaped granular assemblages , 1995 .

[5]  P. A. Cundall,et al.  FORMULATION OF A THREE-DIMENSIONAL DISTINCT ELEMENT MODEL - PART I. A SCHEME TO DETECT AND REPRESENT CONTACTS IN A SYSTEM COMPOSED OF MANY POLYHEDRAL BLOCKS , 1988 .

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

[7]  Ricardo Dobry,et al.  NUMERICAL SIMULATIONS OF MONOTONIC AND CYCLIC LOADING OF GRANULAR SOIL , 1994 .

[8]  T. Ng,et al.  A three-dimensional discrete element model using arrays of ellipsoids , 1997 .

[9]  Masanobu Oda,et al.  Experimental micromechanical evaluation of strength of granular materials: Effects of particle rolling , 1982 .

[10]  P. A. Cundall,et al.  Modeling of microscopic mechanisms in granular material , 1983 .

[11]  D. Owen,et al.  A combined finite‐discrete element method in transient dynamics of fracturing solids , 1995 .

[12]  Dale S. Preece,et al.  Simulation of blasting induced rock motion using spherical element models , 1992 .

[13]  Aibing Yu,et al.  Numerical simulation of the gas-solid flow in a fluidized bed by combining discrete particle method with computational fluid dynamics , 1997 .

[14]  T. Ng,et al.  Contact detection algorithms for three-dimensional ellipsoids in discrete element modelling , 1995 .

[15]  P. Cundall,et al.  A discrete numerical model for granular assemblies , 1979 .

[16]  Jamshid Ghaboussi,et al.  Three-dimensional discrete element method for granular materials , 1990 .

[17]  Barr,et al.  Superquadrics and Angle-Preserving Transformations , 1981, IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications.

[18]  John R. Williams,et al.  A linear complexity intersection algorithm for discrete element simulation of arbitrary geometries , 1995 .

[19]  P. Cundall,et al.  FORMULATION OF A THREE-DIMENSIONAL DISTINCT ELEMENT MODEL - PART II. MECHANICAL CALCULATIONS FOR MOTION AND INTERACTION OF A SYSTEM COMPOSED OF MANY POLYHEDRAL BLOCKS , 1988 .

[20]  Mahmood A. Khwaja,et al.  An ellipse-based discrete element model for granular materials , 1993 .

[21]  Caroline Hogue,et al.  Shape representation and contact detection for discrete element simulations of arbitrary geometries , 1998 .