Effect of particle polydispersity on micromechanical properties and energy dissipation in granular mixtures

A series of numerical tests was conducted to study the micromechanical properties and energy dissipation in polydisperse assemblies of spherical particles subjected to uniaxial compression. In general, distributed particle size assemblies with standard deviations ranging from 0% to 80% of the particle mean diameter were examined. The microscale analyses included the trace of the fabric tensor, magnitude and orien- tation of the contact forces, trace of stress, number of contacts and degree of mobilization of friction in contacts between particles. In polydisperse samples, the average coordination numbers were lower than in monodisperse assemblies, and the mobilization of friction was higher than in monodisperse assemblies due to the non-uniform spatial rearrangement of spheres in the samples and the smaller displacements of the particles. The effect of particle size heterogeneity on both the energy density and energy dissipation in systems was also investigated.     

Effect of particle polydispersity on micromechanical properties and energy dissipation in granular mixtures

A series of numerical tests was conducted to study the micromechanical properties and energy dissipation in polydisperse assemblies of spherical particles subjected to uniaxial compression. In general, distributed particle size assemblies with standard deviations ranging from 0% to 80% of the particle mean diameter were examined. The microscale analyses included the trace of the fabric tensor, magnitude and orientation of the contact forces, trace of stress, number of contacts and degree of mobilization of friction in contacts between particles. In polydisperse samples, the average coordination numbers were lower than in monodisperse assemblies, and the mobilization of friction was higher than in monodisperse assemblies due to the non-uniform spatial rearrangement of spheres in the samples and the smaller displacements of the particles. The effect of particle size heterogeneity on both the energy density and energy dissipation in systems was also investigated.     

煤仓内煤散料流动状态与力学行为影响因素

针对煤仓内煤散料流动问题及其力学行为,采用三维颗粒流模拟程序PFC3D建立了某型号煤仓与某种煤散料的离散元模型,简述了其力学模型与求解步骤,模拟分析了煤仓内煤散料卸料流动状态。通过分析水平向侧压力、颗粒速度场和接触力场,重点讨论了煤仓下部锥体内壁面摩擦系数、锥仓倾角和卸料口径等对煤散料颗粒流动状态和力学行为的影响。结果显示,深仓卸料流动为整体流动与中心流动混合状态,煤仓内壁摩擦系数、锥体倾角和卸料孔开口半径均对煤散料流动和水平侧压力有较大影响。     

Effect of aspect ratio on triaxial compression of multi-sphere ellipsoid assemblies simulated using a discrete element method

Here, we present a numerical investigation of the mechanical behavior of ellipsoids under triaxial compression for a range of aspect ratios. Our simulations use a multi-sphere approach in a three-dimensional discrete element method. All assemblies were prepared at their densest condition, and triaxial compression tests were performed up to extremely large strains, until a critical state was reached. The stress–strain relationship and the void ratio–strain behavior were evaluated. We found that the stress–dilatancy relationship of ellipsoids with different aspect ratios could be expressed as a linear equation. In particular, the aspect ratio influenced the position of the critical state lines for these assemblies. Particle-scale characteristics at the critical state indicate that particles tend to be flat lying, and the obstruction of particle rotation that occurs with longer particles affects their contact mechanics. Lastly, anisotropic coefficients related to aspect ratio were investigated to probe the microscopic origins of the macroscopic behavior. A detailed analysis of geometrical and mechanical anisotropies revealed the microscopic mechanisms underlying the dependency of peak and residual strengths on aspect ratio.     

A coupled sliding and rolling friction model for DEM calibration

The accuracy of dense Discrete Element Method (DEM) simulations is sensitive to initial density, contact orientation, particle size and shape, and interparticle interaction parameters including contact stiffness, cohesion, coefficients of friction, and coefficients of restitution. Although studies have characterized the effects of individual particle interaction parameters on mechanical responses of loaded granular material, research combining DEM parameters for calibration is scarce. Robust DEM calibration methodology combining sliding and rolling friction coefficients was developed and validated to predict bulk residual soil strength of initially dense DEM particle assemblies.     

Numerical simulation study on particle breakage behavior of granular materials in confined compression tests

In order to study the fragmentation law, the confined compression experiment of granular assemblies has been conducted to explore the particle breakage characteristic by DEM approach in this work. It is shown that contact and contact force during the loading process gradually transform from anisotropy to isotropy. Meanwhile, two particle failure modes caused by different contact force states are analyzed, which are single-through-crack failure and multi-short-crack failure. Considering the vertical distribution of the number of cracks and the four characteristic stress distributions (the stress related to the maximum contact force, the major principal stress, the deviatoric stress and the mean stress), it is pointed out that the stress based on the maximum contact force and the major principal stress can reflect the distribution of cracks accurately. In addition, the size effect of particle crushing indicates that small size particles are prone to break. The lateral pressure coefficient of four size particles during the loading process is analyzed to explain the reason for the size effect of particle breakage.     

Micromechanical definition of an entropy for quasi-static deformation of granular materials

A micromechanical theory is formulated for quasi-static deformation of granular materials, which is based on information theory. A reasoning is presented that leads to the definition of an information entropy that is appropriate for quasi-static deformation of granular materials. This definition is based on the hypothesis that relative displacements at contacts with similar orientations are independent realisations of a random variable. This hypothesis is made plausible based on the results of Discrete Element simulations. The developed theory is then used to predict the elastic behaviour of granular materials in terms of micromechanical quantities. The case considered is that of two-dimensional assemblies consisting of non-rotating particles with an elastic contact constitutive relation. Applications of this case are the initial elastic (small-strain) deformation of granular materials. Theoretical results for the elastic moduli, relative displacements, energy distribution and probability density functions are compared with results obtained from the Discrete Element simulations for isotropic assemblies with various average numbers of contacts per particle and various ratios of tangential to normal contact stiffness. This comparison shows that the developed information theory is valid for loose systems, while a theory based on the uniform-strain assumption is appropriate for dense systems.     

EFFECT OF INTERGRANULAR FRICTION ON THE BOTTOM FORCE CHAIN OF TWO-DIMENSIONAL PARTICLE PILES WITH POINT DEFECTS1)

力链对颗粒物质的宏观与微观力学性质起着决定性的作用。在离散元法的基础上,建立二维规则排列的颗粒物质系统,分别研究无缺陷颗粒系统在集中载荷变化与有缺陷颗粒系统在缺陷区域改变时,粒间摩擦系数对颗粒系统底部接触力分布规律的影响。结果表明：在无缺陷颗粒系统中,颗粒系统底部接触力的分布形式受摩擦系数和集中载荷的大小影响。随摩擦系数的增大,底部接触力由双峰形式经平台过渡,逐渐向单峰形式转变。在有缺陷颗粒系统中,摩擦系数和缺陷尺寸对底部接触力分布均有影响。同种载荷作用下,随缺陷尺寸的增大,底部接触力峰值显著增大;底部平均力被明显削弱,力向边界的传递增强。系统中轴线上缺陷的存在使底部中间区域受力削弱,当缺陷尺寸超过2 层以上时,底部中间力随摩擦系数的变化特征由递增曲线演变为线形衰减曲线。     

基于颗粒物质力学的铁粉末压制中摩擦特性对力链演化影响

结合颗粒物质力学理论,通过离散元法实现铁粉末压制过程模拟并通过压制方程进行验证,针对粉末体系中的力链演化问题,提出力链特征定量分析方式,进一步通过分析不同颗粒间摩擦系数、侧壁摩擦系数与颗粒运动状态转变的方式,探讨摩擦特性对力链量化特征的影响,从而建立摩擦行为与力链演化间的联系. 研究结果表明:随颗粒间摩擦系数增大,整体力链数目变少,力链方向系数、承载不均匀度及单位屈曲度均变大,而随侧壁摩擦系数增大,力链特征差异较小,则颗粒间摩擦系数较侧壁摩擦系数对力链特征演化具有更显著影响. 同时发现,颗粒接触状态的改变与力链特征演化间具有对应性. 研究成果将进一步拓展粉末压制中考虑摩擦行为及力链演化过程在内的粉体致密化行为理论.      

Probability density functions of contact forces for cohesionless frictional granular materials

A theory is developed for the probability density functions of contact forces for cohesionless, frictional granular materials in quasi-static equilibrium. This theory is based on a maximum information entropy principle, with an expression for information entropy that is appropriate for granular materials. Entropy is maximized under the constraints of a prescribed stress and that the normal component of the contact force is compressive and that the tangential component of the contact force is limited by Coulomb friction. The theory results in a dependence of the probability density function for the tangential contact forces on the friction coefficient. The theoretical predictions are compared with results from discrete element simulations on isotropic, two-dimensional assemblies under hydrostatic stress. Good qualitative agreement is found for means and standard deviations of contact forces and the shape of the probability density functions, while the quantitative agreement is fairly good. Discrepancies between theory and simulations, such as the difference in shape of the probability density function for the normal force and the observed dependence on elastic properties of the exponential decay rate of tangential forces, are attributed to the fact that the method does not take into account any kinematics, which are essential in relation to elastic effects.     

Relationship between single and bulk mechanical properties for zeolite ZSM5 spray-dried particles

In this work typical mechanical properties for a catalyst support material, ZSM5 （a spray-dried granular zeolite）, have been measured in order to relate the bulk behaviour of the powder material to the single particle mechanical properties. Particle shape and size distribution of the powders, determined by laser diffraction and scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, confirmed the spherical shape of the spray-dried particles. The excellent flowability of the material was assessed by typical methods such as the Hausner ratio and the Cart index, This was confirmed by bulk measurements of the particle-particle internal friction parameter and flow function using a Schulze shear cell, which also illustrated the low compressibility of the material. Single particle compression was used to characterize single particle mechanical properties such as reduced elastic modulus and strength from Hertz contact mechanics theory. Comparison with surface properties obtained from nanoindentation suggests heterogeneity, the surface being harder than the core. In order to evaluate the relationship between single particle mechanical properties and bulk compression behaviour, uniaxial confined compression was carried out. It was determined that the Adams model was suitable for describing the bulk compression and furthermore that the Adams model parameter, apparent strength of single particles, was in good agreement with the single particle strength determined from single particle compression test.     

Statistics of contact force network in dense granular matter

We investigate the distribution of contact forces in a static granular system and in annular shear granular flow, using the discrete element method, and considering the influences of both packing fraction and friction coefficient. We find the existence of a critical packing fraction. If the packing fraction is lower than this critical value, all contact forces in granular system vanish. For shear granular flow, the critical packing fraction is significantly smaller than that for static granular system. The ...     

Liquid single- and gas—liquid two-phase flows of magnetic fluid in the presence of a high non-uniform parallel magnetic field

The effect of a non-uniform parallel high magnetic field on flow control characteristics is investigated experimentally for a magnetic fluid single-phase flow and an air—magnetic fluid two-phase flow in a vertical channel. It is found that as the magnetic field strength is increased, the friction factor of the single-phase flow increases significantly. For the two-phase flow, the friction pressure loss and the head pressure loss, which is smaller than the friction loss, are negligibly small compared with the magnetic pressure loss. In the case where air is injected 27.9d upstream from the maximum magnetic field, the air flow is blocked by the magnetic force in the entrance of the magnetic field, which leads to increases in both local void fraction and pressure drop there. In the case where air is injected 1.43d downstream from the maximum magnetic field, the air flow is accelerated, resulting in a decrease in void fraction and an increase in pressure rise. In the latter case and under the present range of experimental conditions, the magnetic pumping head reaches 0.02 MPa at the highest, and the maximum circulation flow rate reaches twice as high as non-magnetically driven flow rate.     

表面形貌变形对塑性成形滑动接触界面摩擦的影响

为了更好地理解塑性成形滑动接触界面的摩擦行为,构建了一种新型的摩擦试验装置,运用表面纹理化技术制备了两类表面形貌的1050铝材试件,在不同的接触压力和滑动速度条件下进行一系列拉伸摩擦试验.对试验前后试件三维表面形貌进行了测量;提取真实接触面积比、封闭空体面积比和开放空体面积比等三维表面参数,来描述试件表面形貌的变化.试验发现:摩擦系数随名义接触压力和滑动速度增加而逐渐减小;试件初始表面形貌对摩擦有明显的影响;试件表面形貌和参数随接触条件出现了规律性变化.基于机械流变模型的分析表明:随着试件表面形貌变形,不同的机理决定界面摩擦行为,摩擦系数对名义接触压力和滑动速度的依赖性可分别归因于微观塑性流体动压润滑效应和入口区流体动压牵引效应.     

散料在料仓内流动特性的实验研究

用振动筛测量多种散料的筛分尺寸，测量散料的容积密度、安息角，用应变直剪仪进行散料内摩擦角、壁面摩擦角的测量，分析了散料颗料的形状、尺寸对散料的安息角、内摩擦角、壁面摩擦角的影响。用示踪法进行了圆筒内散料重力场中颗粒流线和等时线的试验，以及出口直径与流量的关系、筒仓内散料高度对流量的影响的试验，流量与筒仓内散料高度关系的试验。分析了散料各物性参数对散料流动性的影响，为散料存贮和运输设备的结构设计提供实验依据。     

Shear bands in dense metallic granular materials

In this paper, the phenomenon of strain localization, i.e., shear banding, in densely distributed metallic assemblies has been studied. A discrete element methodology for analyzing metallic granular materials has been put forward. In this numerical model, elastoplastic contact, as well as friction, rolling resistance and cohesion between spheres, are explicitly taken into account. The calculations reveal that the shear banding mechanism in dense assemblies can be thought as an instability triggered by initial imperfections. Within a band, the motion, deformation and rearrangement of spheres soften the resistance of the aggregate, as these mechanisms create additional geometric imperfections. Additionally, the simulations showed that the shear-band width does not change conclusively with the friction, rolling resistance and plasticity parameters. However, cohesive strength, even in small amounts, drastically increased the shear-band width. Finally, the shear-band thickness and inclination angles are strongly dependent on the degree of initial imperfection. Whereas for a perfect assembly the shear band inclinations were consistently around 60°, more heterogeneous assemblies lead to shear band angles closer to the continuum mechanics solution, which is 45°. This was found to be in agreement with recent experimental observations.     

A micromechanical model for effective conductivity in granular electrode structures

Optimization of composition and microstructure is important to enhance performance of solid oxide fuel cells （SOFC） and lithium-ion batteries （LIB）. For this, the porous electrode structures of both SOFC and LIB are modeled as a binary mixture of electronic and ionic conducting particles to estimate effective transport properties. Particle packings of 10000 spherical, binary sized and randomly positioned particles are created numerically and densified considering the different manufacturing processes in SOFC and LIB： the sintering of SOFC electrodes is approximated geometrically, whereas the calendering process and volume change due to intercalation in LIB are modeled physically by a discrete el- ement approach. A combination of a tracking algorithm and a resistor network approach is developed to predict the con- nectivity and effective conductivity for the various densified structures. For SOFC, a systematic study of the influence of morphology on connectivity and conductivity is performed on a large number of assemblies with different compositions and particle size ratios between 1 and 10. In comparison to percolation theory, an enlarged percolation area is found, es- pecially for large size ratios. It is shown that in contrast to former studies the percolation threshold correlates to varying coordination numbers. The effective conductivity shows not only an increase with volume fraction as expected but also with size ratio. For LIB, a general increase of conductivity during the intercalation process was observed in correlation with increasing contact forces. The positive influence of cal- endering on the percolation threshold and the effective conductivity of carbon black is shown. The anisotropy caused by the calendering process does not influence the carbon black phase.     

Void fraction for random loose packing of the cylindrical particles considering filling rate,material and shape

Particle packing is widely applied in organic pollutant adsorption, catalytic reaction, biomass combustion, nuclear cooling, and other scenarios. Due to the complexity of the shape, the studies on the void fraction of the cylindrical particles are not as thorough as the spherical particles. This study investigated the influence of the filling rate, material properties and sphericity on the void fraction of cylinders through experiments and simulation. DEM (discrete element method) was validated by the internal structures of the packing obtained by CT (computed tomography). Based on the logarithmic correlation between the void fraction and filling rate, an ingenious framework for predicting the void fraction of cylindrical particles was presented with two intermediate coefficients. By correlating the coefficients with the material property and sphericity, a novel void-fraction prediction model was established with R-squared of 0.996. The mechanism of void fraction under random loose packing for cylinders was eventually found in this study.