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.     

Prediction of draft forces in cohesionless soil with the Discrete Element Method

The Discrete Element Method (DEM) is applied to predict draft forces of a simple implement in cohesionless granular material. Results are compared with small-scale laboratory tests in which the horizontal force is measured at a straight blade. This study is focused on the case of cohesionless material under quasi-static conditions.The DEM requires the calibration of the local contact parameters between particles to adjust the bulk material properties. The most important bulk property is the angle of internal friction ?. In the DEM, the shear resistance is limited in the case of spherical particles due to excessive particle rotations. This is cured by retaining rotations of the particles. Although this is known to prevent the material from developing shear bands, the model still turns out to be capable of predicting the reaction force on the blade.In contrast to empirical formulas for this kind of application, the DEM model can easily be extended to more complex tool geometries and trajectories. This study helps to find a simple and numerically efficient setup for the numerical model, capable of predicting draft forces correctly and so allowing for large-scale industrial 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.     

基于扩展有限元法的混凝土细观断裂破坏过程模拟

扩展有限元法（XFEM）是分析不连续力学问题（特别是断裂问题）的一种有效的数值方法。在常规的有限元位移模式中,基于单位分解的思想加入一个跳跃函数和渐进缝尖位移场来对不连续体附近的节点自由度进行局部加强,从而反映了位移的不连续性。介绍了扩展有限元的基本原理,给出了扩展有限元进行混凝土开裂及裂纹扩展的分析方法,最后采用扩展有限元法模拟了湿筛混凝土单轴拉伸作用下及WinklerL-型混凝土板的细观断裂破坏过程。分析了混凝土裂纹萌生、扩展的过程及破坏形态,数值结果与实验结果吻合良好。研究表明：扩展有限元法通过特定的位移模式,使裂纹两侧不连续位移场的表达独立于网格划分,能有效地模拟混凝土材料细观断裂破坏过程。     

基于扩展有限元法的裂尖场精度研究

扩展有限元方法基于单元分解的基本思想,通过引入位移加强函数来表征裂纹的不连续性和裂尖的奇异性。在裂尖加强单元与常规单元之间有一层混合单元,当对裂尖特定区域进行加强时,混合单元个数相应增加,混合单元个数与计算精度存在一定联系。本文提出一种正方形裂尖加强区域的选择方式,可得到较单个加强和圆形加强精度更高、更稳定的计算结果。对于不同长度的裂纹,表征裂尖场奇异性所需的裂尖加强范围存在较大差异,以正方形裂尖加强方式进行计算,得到了不同裂纹长度下最优的加强尺寸。     

DEM simulation of soil-tool interaction under extraterrestrial environmental effects

In contrast to terrestrial environment, the harsh lunar environment conditions include lower gravity acceleration, ultra-high vacuum and high (low) temperature in the daytime (night-time). This paper focuses on the effects of those mentioned features on soil cutting tests, a simplified excavation test, to reduce the risk of lunar excavation missions. Soil behavior and blade performance were analyzed under different environmental conditions. The results show that: (1) the cutting resistance and the energy consumption increase linearly with the gravity. The bending moment has a bigger increasing rate in low gravity fields due to a decreasing moment arm; (2) the cutting resistance, energy consumption and bending moment increase significantly because of the raised soil strength on the lunar environment, especially in low gravity fields. Under the lunar environment, the proportions of cutting resistance, bending moment and energy consumption due to the effect of the van der Waals forces are significant. Thus, they should be taken into consideration when planning excavations on the Moon. Therefore, considering that the maximum frictional force between the excavator and the lunar surface is proportional to the gravity acceleration, the same excavator that works efficiently on the Earth may not be able to work properly on the Moon.     

Influence of interparticle interactions on the kinetics of self-assembly and mechanical strength of nanoparticulate aggregates

Computer simulations based on Discrete Element Method have been performed in order to investigate the influence of interparticle interactions on the kinetics of self-assembly and the mechanical strength of nanoparticle aggregates.Three different systems have been considered.In the first system the interaction between particles has been simulated using the JKR (Johnson,Kendall and Roberts) contact theory,while in the second and third systems the interaction between particles has been simulated using van der Waals and electrostatic forces respectively.In order to compare the mechanical behaviour of the three systems,the magnitude of the maximum attractive force between particles has been kept the same in all cases.However,the relationship between force and separation distance differs from case to case and thus,the range of the interparticle force.The results clearly indicate that as the range of the interparticle force increases,the self-assembly process is faster and the work required to produce the mechanical failure of the assemblies increases by more than one order of magnitude.     

A modified finite element method for solving the time-dependent,incompressible Navier-Stokes equations. Part 1: Theory

Beginning with the Galerkin finite element method and the simplest appropriate isoparametric element for modelling the Navier-Stokes equations, the spatial approximation is modified in two ways in the interest of cost-effectiveness: the mass matrix is ‘lumped’ and all coefficient matrices are generated via 1-point quadrature. After appending an hour-glass correction term to the diffusion matrices, the modified semi-discretized equations are integrated in time using the forward (explicit) Euler method in a special way to compensate for that portion of the time truncation error which is intolerable for advection-dominated flows. The scheme is completed by the introduction of a subcycling strategy that permits less frequent updates of the pressure field with little loss of accuracy. These techniques are described and analysed in some detail, and in Part 2 (Applications), the resulting code is demonstrated on three sample problems: steady flow in a lid-driven cavity at Re ≤ 10,000, flow past a circular cylinder at Re ≤ 400, and the simulation of a heavy gas release over complex topography.     

MPS-FEM数值分析带自由面的流固耦合问题

随着计算科学的发展,研究人员为探索流固耦合问题的物理机理而提出了众多的数值方法。其中,耦合的移动粒子半隐式方法 MPS(Moving Particle Semi-Implicit method)和有限单元法FEM(Finite Element method)为流固耦合问题的数值仿真工作提供了新的途径。本文所有流场的数值模拟工作均采用课题组自主开发的无网格法求解器MLParticle-SJTU来完成。该求解器在原始的MPS法基础上,对核函数、压力梯度模型、压力泊松方程的求解和自由面判断方式等方面进行了改进。此外,在该求解器框架内,基于FEM法拓展了针对结构场进行求解的功能。首先,对MPS和FEM方法的理论模型及其耦合策略进行了介绍。然后,采用该自研MPS-FEM耦合求解器,数值模拟了溃坝流动对弹性结构的冲击及其相互作用的标准问题。通过将结构变形及自由面波型变化等结果与已发表结果进行对比,验证了该求解器在处理带自由面剧烈变化的粘性流体和柔性变形结构的耦合作用问题上的可行性。     

Simulation on mechanical behavior of cohesive soil by Distinct Element Method

Analysis in the dynamic mechanical behavior of cohesive soils subjected to external forces is very important in designing and optimizing terrain machines. Distinct Element Method (DEM) is an ideal method to analyze large discontinuous deformations of soil, but the conventional DEM model is difficult in simulating the complex behavior of cohesive soil. In order to simulate and analyze the behavior of cohesive soil accurately, the DEM mechanical model of cohesive soil with parallel bonds between particles was established by considering the capillary and the dynamic viscous forces induced by the presence of water between soil particles. During the excavation process by a bulldozing plate, the dynamic behavior of cohesive soil was simulated by DEM software PFC2D. The phenomena that the discrete particles were bonded into clusters initially, and the clusters were broken into smaller clusters or discrete particles during the excavation process, are consistent with the ruptures and separations of the actual cohesive soils subjected to external forces.     

扩展有限元方法计算多夹杂问题时圆形夹杂与四边形单元的几何关系

用扩展有限元法XFEM(Extended Finite Element Method)解决夹杂问题时,夹杂与基质的界面把单元分成若干部分.求单元刚度矩阵时,需要分别在这各个部分求积分.找到便于程序编制的描述各积分区域几何形状的方法是亟待解决的问题.本文把各积分区域的形成过程看成是圆对四边形的多次切割.考虑切剩区域与圆的关系时,把不完整的边仍看作完整的边,把切剩区域看成是四边形或是切去一两条边的四边形.采用排列组合的方法,把它们与圆的所有位置关系列了出来.     

Finite element analysis of density flow using the velocity correction method

A finite element method is proposed for the analysis of density flow which is induced by a difference of density. The method employs the idea that density variation can be pursued by using markers distributed in the flow field. For the numerical integration scheme, the velocity correction method is successfully used, introducing a potential for the correction of velocity. This method is useful because one can use linear interpolation functions for velocity, pressure and potential based on the triangular finite element. The final equations can be formulated using the quasi-explicit finite element method. A flume in a tank with sloping bottom has been analysed by the present method. The computed results show extremely good agreement with the experimental observations.     

基于离散元法的涂层硬质合金刀具建模及其加工损伤预测

首先建立了TiCN涂层硬质合金刀具基体材料(WC)的离散元模型,根据单轴压缩、三点弯曲以及断裂韧性等数值试验方法校准了基体材料离散元模型的微观参数,然后采用划痕法校准了基体与涂层的界面结合强度。根据Merchant切削模型,建立了涂层刀具切削过程中的刀-屑接触模型,通过对切屑施加周期性边界条件来模拟实际的切削加工过程;模拟了涂层刀具加工过程中的裂纹扩展和破坏情况,并预测了切削加工用量对涂层裂纹扩展及破坏的影响。     

Wave propagation modeling of fluid-filled pipes using hybrid analytical/two-dimensional finite element method

In this paper, a Hybrid Analytical/Two-Dimensional Finite Element Method (2-D HAFEM) is proposed to analyze wave propagation characteristics of fluid-filled, composite pipes. In the proposed method, a fluid-filled pipe with a constant cross-section is modeled by using a 2-D finite element approximation in the cross-sectional area while an analytical wave solution is assumed in the axial direction. Thus, it makes possible to use a small number of finite elements even for high frequency analyses in a computationally efficient manner. Both solid and fluid elements as well as solid–fluid interface boundary conditions are developed to model the cross-section of the fluid-filled pipe. In addition, an acoustical transfer function (ATF) approach based on the 2-D HAFEM formulation is suggested to analyze a pipe system assembled with multiple pipe sections with different cross-sections. An ATF matrix relating two sets of acoustic wave variables at the ends of each individual pipe section with a constant cross-section is first calculated and the total ATF matrix for the multi-sectional pipe system is then obtained by multiplying all individual ATF matrices. Therefore, the HAFEM-based ATF approach requires significantly low computational resources, in particular, when there are many pipe sections with a same cross-sectional shape since a single 2-D HAFEM model is needed for these pipe sections. For the validation of the proposed method, experimental and full 3-D FE modeling results are compared to the results obtained by using the HAFEM-based ATF procedure.     

一种考虑界面相物性影响的界面单元法

界面是由复杂的界面相简化而成的,界面破坏实际是界面相材料的破坏。数值计算为了方便,如经典模型和内聚力模型等,都把很薄的界面相作无厚度化处理。导致只能考虑界面的面力,而无法考虑界面相内的应力(平行于界面方向的应力)。使界面失效准则先天性地排除了界面相内部应力的影响,从界面相材料失效机理的角度来看这是不够严谨的。本文将界面相材料等效为一种弹性连续体,由界面本构关系推导得到了一种新的界面单元。该单元具有界面参数易确定、对界面相物性可以进行等效描述等优点。通过商用有限元软件ABAQUS和用户子程序UEL实现了数值分析,并与直接物理模型的数值模拟结果进行对比,证明了本方法的简便及准确性。通过对不同界面相厚度结构的进一步分析,探讨了本文方法的可行范围。     

Advances in the simulation of multi‐fluid flows with the particle finite element method. Application to bubble dynamics

In this work, we extend the Particle Finite Element Method (PFEM) to multi‐fluid flow problems with the aim of exploiting the fact that Lagrangian methods are specially well suited for tracking interfaces. We develop a numerical scheme able to deal with large jumps in the physical properties, included surface tension, and able to accurately represent all types of discontinuities in the flow variables. The scheme is based on decoupling the velocity and pressure variables through a pressure segregation method that takes into account the interface conditions. The interface is defined to be aligned with the moving mesh, so that it remains sharp along time, and pressure degrees of freedom are duplicated at the interface nodes to represent the discontinuity of this variable due to surface tension and variable viscosity. Furthermore, the mesh is refined in the vicinity of the interface to improve the accuracy and the efficiency of the computations. We apply the resulting scheme to the benchmark problem of a two‐dimensional bubble rising in a liquid column presented in Hysing et al. (International Journal for Numerical Methods in Fluids 2009; 60 : 1259–1288), and propose two breakup and coalescence problems to assess the ability of a multi‐fluid code to model topology changes. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Influence of interparticle interactions on the kinetics of self-assembly and mechanical strength of nanoparticulate aggregates

Computer simulations based on Discrete Element Method have been performed in order to investigate the influence of interparticle interactions on the kinetics of self-assembly and the mechanical strength of nanoparticle aggregates. Three different systems have been considered. In the first system the interaction between particles has been simulated using the JKR （Johnson, Kendall and Roberts） contact theory, while in the second and third systems the interaction between particles has been simulated using van der Waals and electrostatic forces respectively. In order to compare the mechanical behaviour of the three systems, the magnitude of the maximum attractive force between particles has been kept the same in all cases. However, the relationship between force and separation distance differs from case to case and thus, the range of the interparticle force. The results clearly indicate that as the range of the interparticle force increases, the self-assembly process is faster and the work required to produce the mechanical failure of the assemblies increases by more than one order of magnitude.     

Application of the Dorodnitsyn finite element method to swirling boundary layer flow

The Dorodnitsyn finite element method for turbulent boundary layer flow with surface mass transfer is extended to include axisymmetric swirling internal boundary layer flow. Turbulence effects are represented by the two-layer eddy viscosity model of Cebeci and Smith¹ with extensions to allow for the effect of swirl. The method is applied to duct entry flow and a 10 degree included-angle conical diffuser, and produces results in close agreement with experimental measurements with only 11 grid points across the boundary layer. The introduction of swirl (w_e/u_e = 0.4) is found to have little effect on the axial skin friction in either a slightly favourable or adverse pressure gradient, but does cause an increase in the displacement area for an adverse pressure gradient. Surface mass transfer (blowing or suction) causes a substantial reduction (blowing) in axial skin friction and an increase in the displacement area. Both suction and the adverse pressure gradient have little influence on the circumferential velocity and shear stress components. Consequently in an adverse pressure gradient the flow direction adjacent to the wall is expected to approach the circumferential direction at some downstream location.     

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.     

土石混合体直剪离散元数值试验研究

工程中普遍存在的土石混合体以其复杂的工程地质力学性质越来越受研究者的关注。由于"块石"的存在使得土石混合体在细观层次上呈现明显的结构性特征,这种结构性将影响甚至控制着其变形破坏机制及宏观力学特征。本文借助三维颗粒离散元分析软件YADE分别从含石量、试样尺寸、强度特性等角度对土石混合体的力学性质开展了一系列的数值直剪试验研究工作,并取得了一些有意义的研究成果:在含石量及粒度组成相同的情况下土石混合体的宏观抗剪强度及剪胀性随着试样尺寸的增加而呈现降低趋势,而在相同试样尺寸下将随着含石量的增加而增加;内部块石的存在影响着其细观应力状态,从而影响其宏观力学特性。