离散元法研究的评述

介绍了离散元法的基本理论、计算方法及其应用的现状和最新进展.从离散元法的离散模型特点及便于甄别与其它数值计算方法的关系的角度给予离散元法一个比较宽松的定义.在此基础上阐明了离散元方法与刚体-弹簧模型(rigid body spring model, RBSM)方法,不连续变形分析(discontinuous deformation analysis, DDA)方法,分子动力学(moleculardynamics, MD)方法,三维离散元(discrete meso-element dynamicmethod, DM$^2$)方法及无网格方法(meshless method)等数值计算方法的关系, 并讨论了离散元法研究中亟待解决的问题和今后的发展方向.      

A Bridging Scale Method for Multi-scale Analysis of Granular Materials

本文提出了耦合细尺度上基于离散颗粒集合体模型的离散单元法（DEM）和粗尺度上基于Cosserat连续体模型的有限元法（FEM）的连接尺度方法（BSM）以研究颗粒材料的力学行为。采用Cosserat连续体模型和FEM模拟的粗尺度域覆盖全域,而采用离散颗粒集合体模型的DEM模拟的细尺度域仅限于需特别关注材料微结构演变和非连续变形行为的局部区域。对这两个区域间的界面提出了适当的界面条件及其实施方案。通过采用适当的连接尺度投影算子,空间离散的粗、细尺度耦合系统多尺度运动方程具有解耦和允许分别求解、因而也允许分别采用不同时间步长对粗、细尺度计算的特点,可极大地提高BSM的计算效率。文中二维地基数值算例结果说明了所陈述方法的可应用性,以及相对基于Cosserat连续体模型的FEM和基于离散颗粒集合体模型的DEM的优越性。     

颗粒材料多尺度分析的连接尺度方法

本文提出了耦合细尺度上基于离散颗粒集合体模型的离散单元法（DEM）和粗尺度上基于Cosserat连续体模型的有限元法（FEM）的连接尺度方法（BSM）以研究颗粒材料的力学行为。采用Cosserat连续体模型和FEM模拟的粗尺度域覆盖全域,而采用离散颗粒集合体模型的DEM模拟的细尺度域仅限于需特别关注材料微结构演变和非连续变形行为的局部区域。对这两个区域间的界面提出了适当的界面条件及其实施方案。通过采用适当的连接尺度投影算子,空间离散的粗、细尺度耦合系统多尺度运动方程具有解耦和允许分别求解、因而也允许分别采用不同时间步长对粗、细尺度计算的特点,可极大地提高BSM的计算效率。文中二维地基数值算例结果说明了所陈述方法的可应用性,以及相对基于Cosserat连续体模型的FEM和基于离散颗粒集合体模型的DEM的优越性。      

利用连接尺度方法的颗粒材料破碎数值分析

基于已有的颗粒材料连接尺度方法(BSM)[1-2],发展了在细尺度上采用离散颗粒集合体模型与离散单元法(DEM)并引入了颗粒破碎模型,而在粗尺度上采用Cosserat连续体模型与有限单元法(FEM)的BSM。仅在有限局部区域内采用DEM从细观层次关注颗粒材料破碎现象,而在全域采用储存空间和花费时间较少的FEM,同时在粗细两个尺度采用不同的时间步长。讨论了颗粒材料发生破碎时,颗粒材料结构的承载能力与微结构的演变。数值算例结果说明了所提出可模拟破碎的BSM的可用性和优越性,以及颗粒破碎对颗粒材料微观力学行为的影响。     

粗粒土离散元非球趋真颗粒模型

颗粒形状对粗粒土的物理力学特性有着显著的影响。离散元法广泛应用于粗粒土宏观物理力学特性的细观机理研究。为了考虑颗粒形状的影响,亟待发展计算高效的离散元非球趋真颗粒模型。本文基于X射线CT扫描技术并结合数字图像处理技术,对光滑和棱角性两类典型粗粒土(鹅卵石与碎石)进行三维重构,并提出了两类趋真颗粒模型,分别采用扩展超椭球模型和球多面体模型进行趋真逼近;开展了两类颗粒试样的3D打印和单轴压缩试验,分析了配位数和局部孔隙率分布等细观特性;基于离散元开源程序SudoDEM开展了两类试样的离散元模拟,并将模拟细观分析结果与物理试验进行了对比。结果表明,提出的两类趋真颗粒模型能够较好地对粗粒土颗粒进行离散元建模。     

基于离散单元法和人工神经网络的近壁颗粒动力学特征研究

颗粒与壁面的相互作用往往对颗粒流动具有显著影响. 为研究颗粒与壁面作用机理, 对滚筒内颗粒流动过程进行离散单元法(DEM)数值模拟. 基于模拟结果统计分析靠近壁面处颗粒的运动特征, 结果表明, 小摩擦系数时颗粒平动和旋转速度均近似满足正态分布, 但由于壁面影响, 摩擦系数增大时颗粒沿滚筒轴向的旋转速度偏离正态分布, 颗粒动力学理论推导壁面边界条件时应考虑速度正态分布的修正及速度脉动的各向异性. 采用人工神经网络(ANN)构建了颗粒无因次旋转温度、滑移速度和平动温度之间的函数模型, 进而可以在常规双流模型壁面边界条件中考虑颗粒旋转的影响. 基于DEM模拟及结果分析可以为壁面边界条件的理论构造和半经验修正提供基础数据和封闭模型.      

基于离散元的杆件断裂全过程数值模拟

杆件的断裂会涉及到大变形、非线性以及不连续等问题,通常的数值计算方法模拟这种复杂力学行为具有局限性。本文基于颗粒离散元法DEM,将接触粘结处的分布式弹簧用梁纤维进行等效,提出了一种适于结构弹塑性分析的DEM纤维梁模型,然后在此基础上构建了构件断裂模拟算法以及纤维破环准则。将该模型应用于悬臂梁结构,模拟了悬臂梁从弹性到弹塑性阶段,再到断裂破坏的全过程,数值模拟得到的结构响应和截面开裂破坏形态均较合理。最后将该方法应用于单层网壳倒塌破坏模拟,并与网壳振动台倒塌试验进行对比,结果表明,数值模拟得到的杆件断裂过程及结构倒塌模式与试验现象一致,验证了该模型的正确性和适用性。     

建筑结构倒塌破坏的数值模拟方法综述

对建筑结构倒塌破坏的数值模拟方法进行了综述,可归纳为预设损伤与破坏准则、隐式有限元、显式有限元、颗粒离散单元法等4类,分别就其发展历史和实际应用过程中存在的若干缺陷和问题进行探讨。根据颗粒离散元法的基本原理与特点,以某3跨10层的高层框架结构为算例,建立颗粒流模型,基于PFC2D软件编写程序,模拟该结构在突遭水平强击作用下从构件裂纹扩展、断裂、失效、退出工作、结构局部性坍塌一直到整体倒塌的全部动态过程,表明颗粒离散元法可对二维、三维倒塌过程中存在的大量非线性问题进行处理,与其他方法相比较具有较大优势。     

一种滞弹簧耗能的新型离散元滚动阻力模型研究

颗粒间滚动阻力对颗粒体系的稳定性起着重要作用. 在传统的离散元法中, 滚动阻力模型通常由转动弹簧、转动黏壶和摩擦元件表达, 颗粒滚动动能由黏滞力(矩)和摩擦力做功耗散. 由于黏滞力(矩)与滚动速度相关, 临近静止状态的颗粒滚动速度变小, 动能耗散减弱, 传统的离散元模拟得到颗粒由滚动到静止耗费的时间比试验观测的结果要长. 为解决这一问题, 基于摩擦学理论分析了滚动阻力产生的材料滞弹性机理, 将其引入离散元滚动阻力模型, 提出了一种速度无关型动能耗散的滞弹簧, 给出了滞弹簧的弹性恢复力计算公式, 建立了一种新型的离散元滞弹性滚动阻力模型(HDEM). 为验证新型滚动阻力模型的正确性, 通过一个光学物理试验对单个圆形颗粒试件的自由滚动过程进行了测量, 将测量数据与新型的滞弹型离散元模型和传统离散元模型计算结果进行了对比. 结果显示, 基于滞弹性滚动阻力模型HDEM计算结果与试验数据吻合程度更高, 而且模拟得到的颗粒摆动频率更符合试验现象.      

Biot-Cosserat连续体-离散颗粒集合体模型的非饱和土连接尺度方法

耦合了非饱和多孔多相介质有限元模型和颗粒介质离散元(DEM)模型,提出了以宏、细观尺度分别耦合Biot-Cosserat连续体模型和离散颗粒集合体模型的连接尺度方法来分析非饱和含液颗粒材料的力学渗流耦合问题。根据被动空气压力假定和对空间离散孔隙水质量守恒方程的约化,从非饱和土有限元控制方程的基本未知量中消去了孔隙水压力,而将其取作有限元积分点上定义取值的内状态变量,进而建立了节点未知量仅包含固相线位移和转角的非饱和Cosserat多孔连续体约化有限元数值模型。基于连接尺度方法(BSM)宏、细观尺度数值过程的解耦计算的特点,对宏、细观两尺度数值模型的时域积分分别采用隐式Newmark方法和显式中心差分法,且取不同时间步长以提高计算效率。与全域采用DEM的精细分析方法相比,本文BSM在保证计算精度的前提下可大幅节省计算时间。在不考虑湿化效应的边坡稳定算例中,在得到类似计算精度条件下它比全域采用DEM节省计算时间高达86.65%。二维边坡稳定算例结果验证了本文连接尺度方法的有效性,以及在揭示含液颗粒结构细观破坏机理上的优点。数值算例结果显示,边坡承载能力因降雨大幅下降约50%,这表明本文发展的计及伴随湿化过程的颗粒材料结构中饱和度及吸力分布演变及其对结构破坏失效影响的非饱和颗粒材料多尺度计算模型是很有必要的。     

Scaling granular material with polygonal particles in discrete element modeling

Despite advancements in computational resources, the discrete element method (DEM) still requires considerable computational time to solve detailed problems, especially when it comes to the large-scale models. In addition to the geometry scale of the problem, the particle shape has a dramatic effect on the computational cost of DEM. Therefore, many studies have been performed with simplified spherical particles or clumps. Particle scaling is an approach to increase the particle size to reduce the number of particles in the DEM. Although several particle scaling methods have been introduced, there are still some disagreements regarding their applicability to certain aspects of problems. In this study, the effect of particle scalping on the shear behavior of granular material is explored. Real granular particles were scanned and imported as polygonal particles in the direct shear test. The effect of particle size distribution, particle angularity, and the amount of scalping were investigated. The results show that particle scalping can simulate the correct shear behavior of the model with significant improvement in computational time. Also, the accuracy of the scalping method depends on the particle angularity and particle size range.     

Modeling particle sedimentation in viscous fluids with a coupled immersed boundary method and discrete element method

Numerical techniques have increasingly been used to model fluid–particle two-phase flows. Coupling the immersed boundary method (IBM) and discrete element method (DEM) is one promising approach for modeling particulate flows. In this study, IBM was coupled with DEM to improve the reliability and accuracy of IBM for determining the positions of particles during the sedimentation process within viscous fluids. The required ratio of the particle diameter to the grid size (D/dx) was determined by comparing the simulation results with the analytical solution and experimental data. A dynamic mesh refinement model was utilised in the IBM model to refine the computational fluid dynamics grid near the particles. In addition, an optimum coupling interval between the IBM and DEM models was determined based on the experimental results of a single particle sedimentation within silicon oil at a Reynolds number of 1.5. The experimental results and the analytical solution were then utilised to validate the IBM–DEM model at Reynolds numbers of 4.1, 11.6, and 31.9. Finally, the validated model was utilised to investigate the sedimentation process for more than one particle by modeling the drafting-kissing-tumbling process and the Boycott phenomenon. Benchmark tests showed that the IBM–DEM technique preserves the advantages of DEM for tracking a group of particles, while the IBM provides a reliable and accurate approach for modeling the particle–fluid interaction.     

Values for particle-scale properties of biomass briquettes made from agroforestry residues

The production of biomass pellets and briquettes from agroforestry residues has increased rapidly in recent years. The design of machines, equipment and the infrastructure necessary for the handling, transport and storage of these products has been an engineering challenge since, when moving, biomass does not usually flow as easily as other granular materials. The discrete element method (DEM) provides a means of studying the handling and silo discharge behaviour of granular solids as well as the distribution of the pressures exerted by such materials in silos. However, the development of such models requires certain properties of the particles in question to be known. The present work experimentally determines the true density, Young's modulus of elasticity (axial and radial), the particle–particle restitution coefficient and the particle–wall friction coefficient—all variables that must be known in the construction of DEM models—for briquettes made from maize stalk, maize stalk plus pine wood chips, rice husk, vine shoots, rape straw, cereal straw and sawdust plus cereal straw.     

Determination of contact parameters for discrete element method simulations of granular systems

Both linear-spring-dashpot (LSD) and non-linear Hertzian-spring-dnshpot (HSD) contact models are commonly used for the calculation of contact forces in Discrete Element Method (DEM) simulations of granular systems.Despite the popularity of these models, determination of suitable values for the contact parameters of the simulated particles such as stiffness, damping coefficient, coefficient of restitution, and simulation time step,is not altogether obvious.In this work the relationships between these contact parameters for a model system where a particle impacts on a flat base are examined.Recommendations are made concerning the determination of these contact parameters for use in DEM simulations.     

Determination of contact parameters for discrete element method simulations of granular systems

Both linear-spring-dashpot （LSD） and non-linear Hertzian-spring-dashpot （HSD） contact models are commonly used for the calculation of contact forces in Discrete Element Method （DEM） simulations of granular systems. Despite the popularity of these models, determination of suitable values for the contact parameters of the simulated particles such as stiffness, damping coefficient, coefficient of restitution, and simulation time step, is not altogether obvious. In this work the relationships between these contact parameters for a model system where a particle impacts on a flat base are examined. Recommendations are made concerning the determination of these contact parameters for use in DEM simulations.     

Determining the angle of repose of sand under low-gravity conditions using discrete element method

This study is a comparative investigation of data, collected through experimental and numerical means, related to the flow of sand particles through a hopper under low-gravity conditions. During a parabolic airplane flight simulating low-gravity conditions, we determined effects of gravity on the angle of repose of sand pile particles by flowing dry sand from a hopper. The gravity effects on the angle of repose of the sand were negligible. Two-dimensional discrete element method (DEM) was used to simulate the angle of repose. Results were compared to observations made during the low-gravity experiments. Effects of varying parameters such as the friction coefficient and coefficient of rolling friction were determined by running various DEM simulations. Moreover, the effect of the elemental radius on the angle of repose was investigated using DEM. The angle of repose is influenced by certain changes in the friction coefficient and rolling friction values, but the elemental radius has only a negligible effect on the angle of repose within the range of variation. Results show that the DEM model used for this study might be applicable to determine terramechanical interactions under lunar surface gravity conditions, provided that parameters are adjusted and an extended period of simulation is achieved.     

Quasi-static simulations of compact polydisperse particle systems

The Discrete Element Method (DEM) was originally devised by Cundall and Strack (1979), as a technique to examine the micromechanics of granular media with the anticipation that this would lead to more physically reliable continuum theories to describe the quasi-static deformation of granular material such as sand. However, the methodology models the evolution of a system of particles as a dynamic process. Consequently there have been numerous publications of the application of DEM to an increasingly wider v...     

颗粒流动力学及其离散模型评述

颗粒流是由众多颗粒组成的具有内在相互作用的非经典介质流动. 自然界常见颗粒流都是密集流, 颗粒间接触形成力链, 诸多力链相互交接构成支撑整个颗粒流重量和外载荷的网络, 其局部构型及强度在外载荷下演化, 是颗粒流摩擦特性和接触应力的来源.本文介绍球形颗粒间无粘连作用时的Hertz法向接触理论和Mindlin-Deresiewicz切向接触理论. Campbell依据是否生成较为稳定的力链把颗粒流分为弹性流和惯性流两大类, 其中弹性-准静态流和惯性-碰撞流分别对应准静态流和快速流, 作为两种极端流动情况通常处理成连续体, 分别采用摩擦塑性模型和动理论予以描述, 但是表征接触力链的颗粒弹性参数并不出现这两个模型和理论框架中, 如何进一步考虑颗粒弹性参数将非常困难. 目前离散动力学方法逐渐成为复现其复杂颗粒流动现象、提取实验不可能获得的内部流动信息进而综合起来探索颗粒流问题的一种有效工具, 其真实性强于连续介质理论的描述. 软球模型对颗粒间接触力简化处理, 忽略了切向接触力对法向接触力及其加载历史的依赖, 带来了法向和切向刚度系数如何标度等更艰难的物理问题, 但由于计算强度小而广泛应用于工程问题中. 硬球模型不考虑颗粒接触变形, 因而不能描述颗粒流内在接触应变等物理机理, 仅适用于快速颗粒流, 这不仅仅是由于两体碰撞的限制. 因此基于颗粒接触力学的离散颗粒动力学模型是崭新的模型,适用于准静态流到快速流整个颗粒流态的模拟, 可以细致考虑接触形变及接触力的细节,建立更为合理的颗粒流本构关系, 进而有力的促进颗粒流这一非经典介质流动的研究.