Institute of Fundamental Technological Research

This work investigates numerical properties of the algorithm of the discrete element method employing deformable circular discs presented in an earlier authors' publication. The new formulation, called the deformable discrete element method (DDEM) enhances the standard discrete element method (DEM) by introducing an additional (global) deformation mode caused by the stresses in the particles induced by the contact forces. An accurate computation of the contact forces would require an iterative solution of the implicit relationship between the contact forces and particle displacements. In order to preserve efficiency of the DEM, the new formulation has been adapted to the explicit time integration. It has been shown that the explicit DDEM algorithm is conditionally stable and there are two restrictions on its stability. Except for the limitation of the time step as in the standard DEM, the stability in the DDEM is governed by the convergence criterion of the iterative solution of the contact forces. The convergence and stability limits have been determined analytically and numerically for selected regular and irregular configurations. It has also been found out that the critical time step in DDEM remains unchanged with respect to standard DEM.

discrete element method, deformable particles, iterative solution, convergence criterion, explicit scheme, stability

The present work is aimed to investigate the capability of the discrete element method (DEM) to model properly wave propagation in solid materials, with special focus on the determination of elastic properties through wave velocities. Reference micro–macro relationships for elastic constitutive parameters have been based on the kinematic hypothesis as well as obtained numerically by simulation of a quasistatic uniaxial compression test. The validity of these relationships in the dynamic analysis of the wave propagation has been checked. Propagation of the longitudinal and shear wave pulse in rectangular sample discretized with discs has been analysed. Wave propagation velocities obtained in the analysis have been used to determine elastic properties. Elastic properties obtained in the dynamic analysis have been compared with those determined by simulation of the quasistatic compression test.

discrete element method, wave propagation, elastic properties, micro–macro relationships

This work presents a new original formulation of the discrete element method (DEM) with deformable cylindrical particles. Uniform stress and strain fields are assumed to be induced in the particles under the action of contact forces. Particle deformation obtained by strain integration is taken into account in the evaluation of interparticle contact forces. The deformability of a particle yields a nonlocal contact model, it leads to the formation of new contacts, it changes the distribution of contact forces in the particle assembly, and it affects the macroscopic response of the particulate material. A numerical algorithm for the deformable DEM (DDEM) has been developed and implemented in the DEM program DEMPack. The new formulation implies only small modifications of the standard DEM algorithm. The DDEM algorithm has been verified on simple examples of an unconfined uniaxial compression of a rectangular specimen discretized with regularly spaced equal bonded particles and a square specimen represented with an irregular configuration of nonuniform-sized bonded particles. The numerical results have been verified by a comparison with equivalent finite elementmethod results and available analytical solutions. The micro-macro relationships for elastic parameters have been obtained. The results have proved to have enhanced the modeling capabilities of the DDEM with respect to the standard DEM.

average stress, deformable particles, discrete element method, elastic constants, micro-macro relationships, nonlocal contact model

A new original formulation of the discrete element method based on the soft contact approach is presented in this work. The standard DEM has heen enhanced by the introduction of the additional (global) deformation mode caused by the stresses in the particles induced by the contact forces. Uniform stresses and strains are assumed for each particle. The stresses are calculated from the contact forces. The strains are obtained using an inverse constitutive relationship. The strains allow us to obtain deformed particle shapes. The deformed shapes (ellipses) are taken into account in contact detection and evaluation of the contact forces. A simple example of a uniaxial compression of a rectangular specimen, discreti.zed with equal sized particles is simulated to verify the DDEM algorithm. The numerical example shows that a particle deformation changes the particle interaction and the distribution of forces in the discrete element assembly. A quantitative study of micro-macro elastic properties proves the enhanced capabilities of the DDEM as compared to standard DEM.

wave propagation, elasticity, discrete element method,simulation

Discrete Element Method, Deformable Particles, Macroscopic Properties

Elastic Wave Propagation, Deformability, Discrete Element Method

Discrete Element Method, Deformable Particles, Nonlocal Contact Model, Poisson's Effect

This work presents a new original formulation of the discrete element method based on the soft contact approach. The standard DEM has been enhanced by introduction of the additional (global) deformation mode caused by the stresses in the particles induced by the contact forces. Uniform stresses and strains are assumed for each particle. The stresses are calculated from the contact forces. The strains are obtained using an inverse constitutive relationship. The strains allow us to obtain deformed particle shapes. The deformed shapes (ellipses) are taken into account in contact detection and evaluation of the contact forces. The numerical example shows that a particle deformation changes the particle interaction and the distribution of forces in the discrete element assembly.

discrete element method, deformable particles, soft contact