Discrete simulation and micromechanical analysis of two-dimensional saturated granular media

In this study, a novel approach to incorporate the pore water pressure in the discrete element method (DEM) to comprehensively model saturated granular media was developed. A numerical model was constructed based on the DEM by implanting additional routines in the basic DEM code; pore water pressure calculations were used with a two-dimensional (2D) model to simulate the undrained behavior of saturated granular media. This model coupled the interaction of solid particles and the pore fluid in saturated granular media. Finally, several 2D undrained shear tests were simulated. The test results showed that the model could predict the response of the saturated granular soil to shear loading. The effect of initial compaction was investigated. Biaxial tests on dense and loose specimens were conducted, and the effect of the initial density on the change in shear strength and the volume change of the system was investigated. The overall behavior of loose and dense specimens was phenomenologically similar to the real granular material. Constant volume tests were simulated, and the results were compared to those from the coupled model. Induced anisotropy was micromechanically investigated by studying the contact force orientation. The change in anisotropy depended on the modeling scheme. However, the overall responses of the media obtained using the coupled and constant volume methods were similar.     

Discrete simulation and micromechanical analysis of two-dimensional saturated granular media

In this study, a novel approach to incorporate the pore water pressure in the discrete element method （DEM） to comprehensively model saturated granular media was developed. A numerical model was constructed based on the DEM by implanting additional routines in the basic DEM code; pore water pressure calculations were used with a two-dimensional （2D） model to simulate the undrained behavior of satu- rated granular media. This model coupled the interaction of solid particles and the pore fluid in saturated granular media. Finally, several 2D undrained shear tests were simulated. The test results showed that the model could predict the response of the saturated granular soil to shear loading. The effect of initial compaction was investigated. Biaxial tests on dense and loose specimens were conducted, and the effect of the initial density on the change in shear strength and the volume change of the system was inves- tigated. The overall behavior of loose and dense specimens was phenomenologically similar to the real granular material. Constant volume tests were simulated, and the results were compared to those from the coupled model. Induced anisotropy was micromechanically investigated by studying the contact force orientation. The change in anisotropy depended on the modeling scheme. However, the overall responses of the media obtained usinz the couoled and constant volume methods were similar.     

基于离散元法的干湿颗粒系统仿真

介绍了基于离散元法的干湿颗粒系统仿真软件DEMSIM。对于干颗粒系统,DEMSIM可以分析二维和三维颗粒系统的弹性和塑性接触碰撞过程;对于湿颗粒系统,DEMSIM采用传统的液桥模型;对于颗粒-流体系统,DEMSIM采用CFD-DEM细观耦合模型模拟。一系列典型算例的模拟分析,验证了干湿颗粒系统仿真软件DEMSIM的精度和有效性。     

Superquadric DEM-SPH coupling method for interaction between non-spherical granular materials and fluids

The research on the coupling method of non-spherical granular materials and fluids aims to predict the particle–fluid interaction in this study. A coupling method based on superquadric elements is developed to describe the interaction between non-spherical solid particles and fluids. The discrete element method (DEM) and the smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) are adopted to simulate granular materials and fluids. The repulsive force model is adopted to calculate the coupling force and then a contact detection method is established for the interaction between the superquadric element and the fluid particle. The contact detection method captures the shape of superquadric element and calculates the distance from the fluid particle to the surface of superquadric element. Simulation cases focusing on the coupling force model, energy transfer, and large-scale calculations have been implemented to verify the validity of the proposed coupling method. The coupling force model accurately represents the water entry process of a spherical solid particle, and reasonably reflects the difference of solid particles with different shapes. In the water entry process of multiple solid particles, the total energy of the water entry process of multiple solid particles tends to be stable. The collapse process of the partially submerged granular column is simulated and analyzed under different parameters. Therefore, this coupling method is suitable to simulate fluid–particle systems containing solid particles with multiple shapes.     

颗粒介质固-流态转变的理论分析及实验研究

颗粒介质由大量离散的颗粒聚集而成,因而与传统固体和流体不同,运动过程中的颗粒介质中可能同时存在多种流态及其相互间复杂的转换过程. 颗粒介质弹性失稳机理、不可恢复应变量化是研究颗粒介质固态和流态及固-流态转变的关键. 在前期建立的双颗粒温度热力学(two-granular-temperature, TGT) 理论基础上,确定了颗粒介质的弹性稳定性条件,建立了不可恢复应变流动法则,搭建了描述颗粒固态-液态及其相互转化的简单模型. 颗粒堆积体坍塌过程是典型的颗粒介质固态和流态及其转变过程,因此本文首先开展了25 167 个陶颗粒堆积体坍塌过程的实验研究,并使用基于TGT 理论的物质点方法和离散元方法对物理实验进行了模拟. 结果表明,模型数值结果与物理实验在颗粒堆坍塌过程中的形态、速度分布等细节上吻合很好,同时也发现了现阶段所使用的物质点方法和TGT 理论的不足. 初步说明TGT 理论可以实现颗粒介质固态和流态,以及状态转变的描述.      

DISCRETE AND CONTINUUM MODELLING OF GRANULAR FLOW

This paper analyses three popular methods simulating granular flow at different time and length scales： discrete element method （DEM）, averaging method and viscous, elastic-plastic continuum model. The theoretical models of these methods and their applications to hopper flows are discussed. It is shown that DEM is an effective method to study the fundamentals of granular flow at a particle or microscopic scale. By use of the continuum approach, granular flow can also be described at a continuum or macroscopic scale. Macroscopic quantities such as velocity and stress can be obtained by use of such computational method as FEM. However, this approach depends on the constitutive relationship of materials and ignores the effect of microscopic structure of granular flow. The combined approach of DEM and averaging method can overcome this problem. The approach takes into account the discrete nature of granular materials and does not require any global assumption and thus allows a better understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of granular flow. However, it is difficult to adapt this approach to process modelling because of the limited number of particles which can be handled with the present computational capacity, and the difficulty in handling non-spherical particles. Further work is needed to develoo an aoorooriate aooroach to overcome these problems.     

CFD-DEM simulation of the hole cleaning process in a deviated well drilling: The effects of particle shape

We investigate the effect of particle shape on the transportation mechanism in well-drilling using a three-dimensional model that couples computational fluid dynamics (CFD) with the discrete element method (DEM). This numerical method allows us to incorporate the fluid–particle interactions (drag force, contact force, Saffman lift force, Magnus lift force, buoyancy force) using momentum exchange and the non-Newtonian behavior of the fluid. The interactions of particle−particle, particle−wall, and particle−drill pipe are taken into account with the Hertz–Mindlin model. We compare the transport of spheres with non-spherical particles (non-smooth sphere, disc, and cubic) constructed via the multi-sphere method for a range of fluid inlet velocities and drill pipe inclination angles. The simulations are carried out for laboratory-scale drilling configurations. Our results demonstrate good agreement with published experimental data. We evaluate the fluid–particle flow patterns, the particle velocities, and the particle concentration profiles. The results reveal that particle sphericity plays a major role in the fluid–solid interaction. The traditional assumption of an ideal spherical particle may cause inaccurate results.     

CFD–DEM simulation of particle deposition characteristics of pleated air filter media based on porous media model

In this study, the three-dimensional physical model of pleated air filtration media was simplified to porous media model, and the calculation parameters of porous media were obtained based on experimental data. The model of V-shaped pleated air filter media is constructed, the height of the media pleat is 50 mm and the pleat thickness is 4 mm, the pleat angle is 3.7°. The Hertz-Mindlin contact model was modified by Johnson Kendall Roberts (JKR) adhesion contact model. The deposition process of particles in media was simulated based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) theory and discrete element method (DEM). Results show that the CFD–DEM coupling method can be effectively applied to the macro research of pleated air filter media. The particles will form dust layer and dendrite structure on the fiber surface, and the dust layer will affect the subsequent air flow organization, and the dendrite structure will eventually form a “particle wall”. The formation of the “particle wall” will prevent the particles from moving further in the fluid domain, which makes area of pleated angle become the “low efficiency” part about the particle deposition. Compared with area of pleated angle, the particles are concentrated in the opening area and the middle area of the pleated to agglomerate and deposit.     

GPU accelerated MFiX-DEM simulations of granular and multiphase flows

In this research, a Graphical Processing Unit (GPU) accelerated Discrete Element Method (DEM) code was developed and coupled with the Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) software MFiX to simulate granular and multiphase flows with heat transfers and chemical reactions. The Fortran-based CFD solver was coupled with the CUDA/C++ based DEM solver through inter-process pipes. The speedup to the CPU version of MFiX-DEM is about 130–243 folds in the simulation of particle packings. In fluidized bed simulations, the DEM computation time is reduced from 91% to 17% with a speedup of 78 folds. The simulation of Geldart A particle fluidization revealed a similar level of importance of both fluid and particle coarse-graining. The filtered drag derived from the two-fluid model is suitable for Euler-Lagrangian simulations with both fluid and particle coarse-graining. It overcorrects the influence of sub-grid structures if used for simulations with only fluid coarse-graining.     

Diffusion-based coarse graining in hybrid continuum–discrete solvers: Theoretical formulation and a priori tests

Coarse graining is an important ingredient in many multi-scale continuum–discrete solvers such as CFD–DEM (computational fluid dynamics–discrete element method) solvers for dense particle-laden flows. Although CFD–DEM solvers have become a mature technique that is widely used in multiphase flow research and industrial flow simulations, a flexible and easy-to-implement coarse graining algorithm that can work with CFD solvers of arbitrary meshes is still lacking. In this work, we proposed a new coarse graining algorithm for continuum–discrete solvers for dense particle-laden flows based on solving a transient diffusion equation. Via theoretical analysis we demonstrated that the proposed method is equivalent to the statistical kernel method with a Gaussian kernel, but the current method is much more straightforward to implement in CFD–DEM solvers. A priori numerical tests were performed to obtain the solid volume fraction fields based on given particle distributions, the results obtained by using the proposed algorithm were compared with those from other coarse graining methods in the literature (e.g., the particle centroid method, the divided particle volume method, and the two-grid formulation). The numerical tests demonstrated that the proposed coarse graining procedure based on solving diffusion equations is theoretically sound, easy to implement and parallelize in general CFD solvers, and has improved mesh-convergence characteristics compared with existing coarse graining methods. The diffusion-based coarse graining method has been implemented into a CFD–DEM solver, the results of which are presented in a separate work.     

Numerical simulations of shock-induced load transfer processes in granular media using the discrete element method

By the discrete element method (DEM), we perform numerical simulations of shock-induced load transfer processes in granular layers composed of spherical particles packed in vertical channels. In order to isolate the load transfer through the grains’ contact points from the complicated load transfer processes, we simulate the shock wave interactions with granular layers having no permeability for gas. The shock loading is achieved by applying a downward step force on the top of the granular layers. Complex, three-dimensional load transfer processes in the granular media, which are extremely difficult to understand from experiments, are visualized based on the results from the present DEM simulation. The numerical results show that highly concentrated load transfer paths, through which shock loads are transferred mainly, exist in the granular media, and that the dimensions of the container of the granular media considerably affect the shock-induced load transfer processes. From a coarse-grained representation of intergranular stress, wave-like load transfer processes are clearly observed. For relatively deep granular layers, however, the wave fronts became unclear as they propagated.     

A study of influence of gravity on bulk behaviour of particulate solid

This paper examines the influence of gravity on the bulk responses of a granular solid. The loading scenarios in this study include confined compression, rod penetration into a granular medium and discharging through an orifice. Similar loading and flow conditions are likely to be encountered in the stress and deformation regimes that regoliths are subjected to in extraterrestrial exploration activities including in situ resource utilisation processes. Both spherical and non-spherical particles were studied using the discrete element method （DEM）. Whilst DEM is increasingly used to model granular solids, careful validations of the simulation outcomes are rather rare. Thus in addition to exploring the effect of gravity, this paper also compares DEM simulations with experiments under terrestrial condition to verify whether DEM can produce satisfactory predictions. The terrestrial experiments were conducted with great care and simulated closely using DEM. The key mechanical and geometrical properties for the particles were measured in laboratory tests for use in the DEM simulations. A series of DEM computations were then performed under reduced gravity to simulate these experiments under extraterrestrial environment. It was found that gravity has no noticeable effect on the force transmission in the confined compression case; the loading gradient in the rod penetration is linearly proportional to the gravity; the mass flow rate in silo discharge is proportional to square root of the gravity and the angle of repose increases with reducing gravity. These findings are in agreement with expectation and existing scientific evidence.     

A study of influence of gravity on bulk behavior of particulate solid

This paper examines the influence of gravity on the bulk responses of a granular solid. The loading scenarios in this study include confined compression, rod penetration into a granular medium and discharging through an orifice. Similar loading and flow conditions are likely to be encountered in the stress and deformation regimes that regoliths are subjected to in extraterrestrial exploration activities including in situ resource utilisation processes. Both spherical and non-spherical particles were studied using the discrete element method (DEM). Whilst DEM is increasingly used to model granular solids, careful validations of the simulation outcomes are rather rare. Thus in addition to exploring the effect of gravity, this paper also compares DEM simulations with experiments under terrestrial condition to verify whether DEM can produce satisfactory predictions.The terrestrial experiments were conducted with great care and simulated closely using DEM. The key mechanical and geometrical properties for the particles were measured in laboratory tests for use in the DEM simulations. A series of DEM computations were then performed under reduced gravity to simulate these experiments under extraterrestrial environment. It was found that gravity has no noticeable effect on the force transmission in the confined compression case; the loading gradient in the rod penetration is linearly proportional to the gravity; the mass flow rate in silo discharge is proportional to square root of the gravity and the angle of repose increases with reducing gravity. These findings are in agreement with expectation and existing scientific evidence.     

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.      

The numerical modelling of excavator bucket filling using DEM

The filling of an excavator bucket is a complex granular flow problem. In order to optimize the filling process, it is important to understand the different mechanisms involved. The discrete element method (DEM) is a promising approach to model soil-implement interactions and it was used in this study to model the filling process of an excavator bucket. Model validation was based on the accuracy with which the model predicted the bucket drag force and the development of the different flow regions. Compared to experimental measurements, DEM predicted lower bucket drag forces, but the general trend was accurately modelled. At the end of the filling process the error in predicted drag force was 20%. Qualitatively, there was a good agreement between the observed and the modelled flow regions in terms of position and transition from one stage to the other. During all stages of filling, DEM was able to predict the volume of material inside the bucket accurately to within ±6%.     

含液颗粒材料液固耦合分析的离散颗粒模型及特征线SPH法

对含液颗粒材料流固耦合分析建议了一个基于离散颗粒模型与特征线SPH法的显式拉格朗日-欧拉无网格方案。在已有的用以模拟固体颗粒集合体的离散颗粒模型[1]基础上,将颗粒间间隙内的流体模型化为连续介质,对其提出并推导了基于特征线的SPH法。数值例题显示了所建议方案在模拟颗粒材料与间隙流相互作用的能力和性能以及间隙流体对颗粒结构承载能力及变形的影响。     

Three-dimensional water entry of a solid body: A computational study

Marine vessels are continuously subject to impulsive loading from impact on the water surface. Understanding and quantifying the hydrodynamics generated by the three-dimensional (3D) water impact of a solid body is central to the design of resilient and performing vessels. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) constitutes a viable tool for the study of water entry problems, which may overcome some of the drawbacks associated with semi-analytical and experimental methods. Here, we present a new computational study of the 3D water entry of a solid body with multiple curvatures. The method of finite volume is utilized to discretize incompressible Navier-Stokes equations in both air and water, and the method of volume of fluid is employed to describe the resulting free-surface multiphase flow. Computational results are validated against available experimental findings obtained using particle image velocimetry in terms of both the flow kinetics and kinematics. Specifically, we demonstrate the accuracy of our CFD solution in predicting the overall force experienced by the hull, the pile-up phenomenon, the velocity field in the water, the distribution of the hydrodynamic loading, and the energy transfer during the impact. Our approach is expected to aid in the validation of new semi-analytical solutions and to offer a viable means for conducting parametric studies and design optimization on marine vessels.     

Improvement,validation and application of CFD/DEM model to dense gas–solid flow in a fluidized bed

Dense gas–solid flow with solid volume fraction greater than 10% and at moderate Reynolds number is important in many industrial facilities such as fluidized beds. In this work, the Euler–Lagrange approach in combination with a deterministic collision model is applied to a laboratory-scale fluidized bed. The fluid–particle interaction is studied using a new procedure called the offset method, which results in several numbers of spatial displacements of the fluid grid. The proposed method is highly precise in determining porosity and momentum transfer, thus improving simulation accuracy. A validation study was carried out to assess the results using this in-house CFD/DEM code against 5-s operation of a Plexiglas spouted-fluidized bed, showing good qualitative correlation of solid distribution in the bed and acceptable quantitative agreement of pressure drops at different positions in the bed. In view of high computing cost, special emphasis is placed on effective program design, such as application of advanced detection algorithm for particle–particle/wall collisions, the multi-grid method and parallel calculation. In this context, the influence of increasing the processor number, up to 36, on calculation efficiency was investigated.     

水底管道抛石加固过程的DEM-SPH耦合分析

水底管道的抛石加固过程是典型的颗粒-流体耦合问题.采用DEM-SPH耦合方法模拟颗粒-流体系统,其中离散元方法(DEM)用于模拟落石,光滑粒子流体动力学方法(SPH)用于模拟流体.通过三维Voronoi切割算法生成不规则形状的多面体,并基于闵可夫斯基原理构造扩展多面体形态的落石单元.通过SPH的边界排斥力模型计算颗粒与...     

Numerical simulation of the accumulation of heavy particles in a circular bounded vortex flow

In present work, an Eulerian–Lagrangian CFD model based on the discrete element method (DEM) and immersed boundary method (IBM) has been developed, validated and used to investigate the accumulation of heavy particles in a circular bounded viscous vortex flow. The inter-particle and particle-wall collisions are resolved by a hard-sphere model. Effects of one-way and two-way coupling, Reynolds number, and particle diameter are systematically explored. Results show that, in case of one-way coupling, the majority of particles will spiral into an accumulation point located near the stagnation point of the flow field. The accumulation point represents a stable equilibrium point as the drag created by the flow field balances the destabilizing centrifugal force on the particle. However, in case of two-way coupling, there does not exist a stable accumulation point due to the strong interaction between the particles and fluid dynamics. Instead most particles are expelled from the circular domain and accumulate on the confining wall. The percentage of accumulated particles on the wall increases with increasing Reynolds number and particle diameter. Moreover, influence of three well-known drag models is also studied and they give consistent results on the particle accumulation behavior, although small quantitative differences can still be discerned.