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An ellipse‐based discrete element model for granular materials
Author(s) -
Ting John M.,
Khwaja Mahmood,
Meachum Larry R.,
Rowell Jeffrey D.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
international journal for numerical and analytical methods in geomechanics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.419
H-Index - 91
eISSN - 1096-9853
pISSN - 0363-9061
DOI - 10.1002/nag.1610170902
Subject(s) - ellipse , discrete element method , granular material , spheres , aggregate (composite) , rod , geometry , particle (ecology) , finite element method , extended discrete element method , mechanics , engineering , mathematics , structural engineering , materials science , physics , geotechnical engineering , geology , composite material , boundary element method , medicine , oceanography , alternative medicine , pathology , boundary knot method , aerospace engineering
The discrete element method (DEM) models granular materials numerically as a collection of particles rather than as a continuum. Difficulties can arise when using the more common circular and polygonal shapes for modelling real granular materials. In particular, use of discs and spheres leads to typically low aggregate internal friction angles compared with real materials. This paper presents the detailed formulations for using the ellipse shape in discrete element modelling. Robust algorithms for computing ellipse‐ellipse and ellipse‐wall intersections are presented. Also shown are equations to assist in parameter selection and evaluation of macroscopic stresses and strains from the contact data. An initial validation test suite on rods of varying particle aspect ratio are presented. These results indicate that the ellipse‐based DEM results in mechanical behaviour that is similar, both qualitatively and quantitavely, to the behaviour of real soils.