Discrete element model for general polyhedra

authored by
Alfredo Gay Neto, Peter Wriggers
Abstract

We present a version of the Discrete Element Method considering the particles as rigid polyhedra. The Principle of Virtual Work is employed as basis for a multibody dynamics model. Each particle surface is split into sub-regions, which are tracked for contact with other sub-regions of neighboring particles. Contact interactions are modeled pointwise, considering vertex-face, edge-edge, vertex-edge and vertex-vertex interactions. General polyhedra with triangular faces are considered as particles, permitting multiple pointwise interactions which are automatically detected along the model evolution. We propose a combined interface law composed of a penalty and a barrier approach, to fulfill the contact constraints. Numerical examples demonstrate that the model can handle normal and frictional contact effects in a robust manner. These include simulations of convex and non-convex particles, showing the potential of applicability to materials with complex shaped particles such as sand and railway ballast.

Organisation(s)
Institute of Continuum Mechanics
External Organisation(s)
Universidade de Sao Paulo
Type
Article
Journal
Computational Particle Mechanics
Volume
9
Pages
353-380
No. of pages
28
ISSN
2196-4378
Publication date
03.2022
Publication status
Published
Peer reviewed
Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Computational Mechanics, Civil and Structural Engineering, Numerical Analysis, Modelling and Simulation, Fluid Flow and Transfer Processes, Computational Mathematics
Electronic version(s)
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40571-021-00415-z (Access: Open)
 

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