Shear behaviours of cohesionless mixed soils using the DEM:The influence of coarse particle shape

The coarse particles in mixed soils can be cobbles or gravels,with the main difference being their roundness(an indicator describing particle shape characteristics at an intermediate scale).The influence of coarse particle shape(i.e.,roundness)on the macroscopic and microscopic shear behaviours of cohesionless mixed soils with various fines contents(FCs)was investigated via the discrete element method in this study.The shapes of coarse particles were formed using the rotation-invariant spherical harmonic method proposed by previous investigators.An equation was proposed to predict the initial void ratios of samples in this study.A decrease in the roundness of coarse particles can increase the peak friction angle(FC≤40%)and critical friction angle(FC≤30%).As the roundness of coarse particles decreases,the peak dilatancy angle initially increases and then decreases(FC≤20%).Furthermore,it was found that the roundness of coarse particles hardly affects the classification of cohesionless mixed soils,as determined by probing the percentage contributions of coarse-coarse,coarse-fine,and fine-fine contacts.When cohesionless mixed soils change from an underfilled structure to an interactive-underfilled structure at the critical state,the main forms of coarse-coarse contacts were discovered.Additionally,the force-fabric anisotropy mechanisms of the influences of the roundness and rolling resistance coefficient of coarse particles on the shear strengths of cohesionless mixed soils were found to be different.     

2D DEM simulation of particle mixing in rotating drum:A parametric study

Mixing behaviors of equal-sized glass beads in a rotating drum were investigated by both DEM simulations and experiments. The experiments indicated that higher rotation speed can significantly enhance mixing. The particle profiles predicted by 2D DEM simulation were compared with the experimental results from a quasi-2D drum, showing inconsistency due to reduction of contacts in the single-layer 2D simulation which makes the driving friction weaker than that in the quasi-2D test, better results could be rea...     

Experimental study of saltating particle trajectories

 For studying particle trajectories in saltation, a measurement method has been developed. Results have been obtained by recording particles in motion at 25 images per second and by analysing images using processing software which enables complete trajectories to be reconstructed. Some average trajectory characteristics have been deduced and compared with those found in the literature. Received: 7 March 1996 / Accepted: 25 September 1996     

DEM prediction of industrial and geophysical particle flows

Simulation of industrial particle flows using DEM (Discrete Element Method) offers the opportunity for better understanding of the flow dynamics by the inclusion of particle scale physics that often determine the nature of these flows. Increased understanding from the models can lead to improvements in equipment design and operation, potentially leading to large increases in equipment and process efficiency, throughput and/or product quality. Industrial applications are typically large and involve complex p...     

Physics and modelling of turbulent particle deposition and entrainment: Review of a systematic study

Deposition and entrainment of particles in turbulent flows are crucial in a number of technological applications and environmental processes. We present a review of recent results from our previous works, which led to physical insights on these phenomena. These results were obtained from a systematic numerical study based on the accurate resolution – Direct Numerical Simulation via a pseudo-spectral approach – of the turbulent flow field, and on Lagrangian tracking of particles under different modelling assumptions. We underline the multiscale aspect of wall turbulence, which has challenged scientists to devise simple theoretical models adequate to fit experimental data, and we show that a sound rendering of wall turbulence mechanisms is required to produce a physical understanding of particle deposition and re-entrainment. This physical understanding can be implemented in more applied simulation techniques, such as Large-Eddy Simulation. Our arguments are based also on the phenomenology of coherent structures and on the examination of flow topology in connection with particle preferential distribution. Starting from these concepts, reasons why theoretical predictions may fail are examined together with the requirements which must be fulfilled by suitable predictive models.     

DEM investigation of macro-and micro-mechanical properties of rigid-grain and soft-chip mixtures

We investigated the macro-and micro-mechanical properties of rigid-grain and soft-chip mixtures(GCMs)through numerical simulations using the discrete element method.We present a novel framework for the discrete modeling of soft chips and rigid grains in conjunction with calibration processes.Several numerical triaxial tests were also performed on GCMs with 0%,10%,20%,and 30%volumetric chip contents,P.The simulation results demonstrate that increasing P leads to higher GCM toughness,higher deviatoric peak stress,and higher corresponding shear strain.Higher P also contributes to more volume contraction and less dilation.The friction angles at both the peak and residual state significantly increase with increasing P.In view of the micro-mechanical features,strong contact force chains develop along the loading direction,which results in considerable anisotropy in the peak and residual states.Both the formation of strong force chains and rotation of grains decrease with increasing P,whereas the grain sliding percentage increases.The tensile force is mobilized with shearing and higher P leads to less mobilization of the tensile force.These findings are useful for better understanding the internal structure of GCMs with different soft-chip contents,especially in granular mixture mechanics and geomechanics.     

Calibration of granular material parameters for DEM modelling and numerical verification by blade-granular material interaction

The discrete element method (DEM) is a promising approach to model blade-granular material interactions. The accuracy of DEM models depends on the model parameters. In this study, a calibration process was developed to determine the parameter values. The particle size was the same as the real material and the particle shape was modelled using two spherical particles rigidly clumped together to form a single grain. Laboratory shear tests and compressions tests were used to determine the material internal friction angle and stiffness, respectively. These tests were replicated numerically using DEM models with different sets of particle friction coefficients and particle stiffness values. The shear test results are found to be dependent on both the particle friction coefficient and the particle stiffness. The compression test results show that it is only dependent on the particle stiffness. The combination of shear test and compression test results can be used to determine a unique set of particle friction and particle stiffness values. The calibration process was validated experimentally and numerically by modelling a blade moving through granular material. Results show that the forces acting on the blade can be accurately modelled with DEM and the maximum error is found to be 26%. The relative particle-blade displacements were used to predict the position and shape of the shear lines in front of the blade. A good qualitative correlation was achieved between the experiments and the DEM simulations.     

Experimental study and mathematical modelling of a new of vibro-impact moling device

In this paper experimental study and mathematical modelling of newly designed vibro-impact moling rig are presented. The design is based on electro-mechanical interactions of a conductor with an oscillating magnetic field. The rig consists of a metal bar placed within a solenoid which is connected to an RLC circuit, and an obstacle block positioned nearby. Both the solenoid and the block are attached to a base board. Externally supplied alternating voltage causes the bar to oscillate and hit the block resulting in the forward motion of the base board mimicking a mole penetration through the soil. By varying the excitation voltage and the capacitance in the circuit, a variety of system responses can be obtained.In the paper the rig design and experimental procedure are explained in detail, and the mathematical modelling of the rig is described. Then the obtained coupled electro-mechanical equations of motion are integrated numerically, and a comparison between experimental results and numerical predictions is presented.     

An improved method for enhancing the resolution of conventional double-exposure single-frame particle image velocimetry

 An improved hybrid particle image velocimetry (PIV)/particle tracking velocimetry technique is presented. The method uses a conventional autocorrelation for a predictor step followed by local cross-correlations of individual particles to obtain individual particle pair displacements within a double-exposed single-frame image. Simulated particle fields are used to demonstrate the improved tracking success (better than 90%, even in very dense particle fields) and accuracy of the technique as compared to an existing single-frame hybrid method. In addition, the number of erroneous measured pairs is reduced. The improved success is attributed to the ability of the algorithm to differentiate between overlapped particles and the criteria for correctly identifying overlapped particles are presented. As a check on the effect on derived quantities, computed values before and after resolution enhancement from a real image with constant vorticity and dilatation are presented. Application of this method to a turbulent non-premixed flame shows about a factor of six increase in the resolution over conventional PIV. Received: 24 October 1997/Accepted: 4 November 1998     

Linking discrete particle simulation to continuum process modelling for granular matter: Theory and application

Two approaches are widely used to describe particle systems: the continuum approach at macroscopic scale and the discrete approach at particle scale. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages in the modelling of particle systems. It is of paramount significance to develop a theory to overcome the disadvantages of the two approaches. Averaging method to link the discrete to continuum approach is a potential technique to develop such a theory. This paper introduces an averaging method, including the theory and its application to the particle flow in a hopper and the particle-fluid flow in an ironmaking blast furnace.     

A plasticity model for powder compaction processes incorporating particle deformation and rearrangement

This paper develops a mechanistic model of granular materials that can be used with a commercial finite element package (ABAQUS). The model draws on the ideas of critical state soil mechanics and combines them with the theory of envelopes to develop an elasto-plastic model with a non-associated flow rule. The model incorporates both local deformation at the granule contacts, and rearrangement of the granules so that jointly they account for any bulk deformation. The mechanics of the model closely reflect the physicality of the material behaviour and the model parameters are closely linked (although not simplistically identical) to the characteristics of the granules. This not only gives an insight into the material behaviour, but also enables the model to be used to facilitate design of the material, its processing properties and, hence, component development. The model is used to simulate drained triaxial tests, settlement of a powder in a bin, and some examples of die pressing. Simulations are compared with experimental data and with predictions obtained using other models.     

Internal loops in pseudoelastic behaviour of Ti-Ni shape memory alloys: Experiment and modelling

The stress-strain isothermal hysteresis loops due to the incomplete martensitic transformation are analysed for Ti-Ni shape memory alloys. Experiments show the existence of two distinct yield lines for phase transition; one for the forward transformation austenitemartensite (AM), the other for the reverse transformation MA. The tensile behaviour of single crystals with only one yield line (AM) [1] can be considered as an ideal case. An extension of a thermodynamic model for pseudoelasticity [2] allows these two yield lines to be taken into account.

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Sommario Per leghe Ti-Ni con memoria di forma vengono analizzati i cicli di isteresi isotermici tensione-deformazione prodotti da una incompleta trasformazione martensitica. Gli esperimenti mostrano l'esistenza di due distinte linee di snervamento per la transizione di fase, una verso la trasformazione austenitemartensite (AM), l'altra per la trasformazione inversa MA. Il comportamento a trazione di un singolo cristallo con una sola linea di snervamento (AM) [1], può essere considerato un caso ideale. L'estensione ad un modello termodinamico pseudo-elastico [2] consente di analizzare queste due linee di snervamento.

     

Investigation of elemental shape for 3D DEM modeling of interaction between soil and a narrow cutting tool

Discrete Element Method (DEM) has been applied in recent studies of soil cutting tool interactions in terramechanics. Actual soil behavior is well known to be inexpressible by simple elemental shapes in DEM, such as circles for 2D or spheres for 3D because of the excessive rotation of elements. To develop a more effective model for approximating real soil behavior by DEM, either the introduction of a rolling resistance moment for simple elemental shape or the combination of simple elements to form a complex model soil particle shape cannot be avoided. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of elemental shape on the cutting resistance of soil by a narrow blade using 3D DEM. Six elemental shapes were prepared by combining unit spheres of equal elemental radius. Moreover, cutting resistance was measured in a soil bin filled with air-dried sand to collect comparative data. The elemental shape, with an axial configuration of three equal spheres overlapped with each radius, showed similar results of soil cutting resistance to those obtained experimentally for the six elemental shapes investigated.     

Shear-induced particle segregation in binary mixtures:Verification of a percolation theory

Granular materials composed of different-sized grains may experience undesired segregation.Segrega-tion is detrimental for a lot of industries because it leads ...     

Cold compaction of ceramic powder: Computational analysis of the effect of pressing method and die shape

This paper deals with a computational analysis of the influence of the pressing method and part geometry on the final density distribution in the cold compaction process of ceramic alumina powders. The analysis is based on the explicit finite-element model proposed and validated in a previous study. The mechanical behavior of the processing material is described using a multisurface elastoplastic model, the modified Drucker-Prager/Cap model Published in Prikladnaya Mekhanika, Vol. 43, No. 10, pp. 129–134, October 2007.     

Deep field noise in holographic particle image velocimetry (HPIV): numerical and experimental particle image field modelling

 Holographic recording overcomes the limits in 2-D particle image velocimetry (PIV) to cover a 3-D flow field volume. Interrogation by focusing on single planes in a reconstructed particle field is disturbed by noise from out-of-focus particles. A numerical simulation models image reconstruction and shows how validation rates depend on aperture and volume depth. An experimental model environment of scattering particles in moveable plastic slices gives support to the numerical results. Simulations and tests are carried out for interrogation by autocorrelation and crosscorrelation techniques and furnish guidelines for system design. Received: 27 December 1996 / Accepted: 14 August 1997     

Impulse wave run-over: experimental benchmark study for numerical modelling

This research intends to provide a detailed data basis for numerical modelling of impulse waves. Three tests are described involving a rectangular wave channel, in which a trapezoidal ‘breakwater’ was inserted to study wave run-over. In addition, a reference test is also described, in which the breakwater was removed. Two-dimensional impulse waves were generated by means of subaerial granular slides accelerated by a pneumatic landslide generator into the water body. Wave propagation and run-over over the artificial breakwater are documented by a set of high-quality photographs. Water surface profiles were recorded using capacitance wave gages upstream and downstream of the breakwater, and velocity vector fields were determined for the run-over zone by means of Particle Image Velocimetry. The measurements are compared with predictive formulae for wave features and wave non-linearity. The present data set involves both simple channel topography and wave features to allow for numerical simulations under basic laboratory conditions.     

Experimental evaluation and numerical modelling of timber-framed walls

Experimental Techniques - Timber-framed wall buildings are seen all over Europe, especially in seismic regions, given its adequacy to resist earthquakes. The pombaline buildings, developed after...     

Experimental study on the condensation of supersonic steam jet submerged in quiescent subcooled water: Steam plume shape and heat transfer

The condensation of supersonic steam jet submerged in the quiescent subcooled water was investigated experimentally. The results indicated that the shape of steam plume was controlled by the steam exit pressure and water temperature. Six different shapes of steam plume were observed under the present test conditions. Their distribution as a function of the steam exit pressures and water temperatures was given. As the steam mass velocity and water temperature increase, the measured maximum expansion ratio and dimensionless penetration length of steam plume were in the ranges of 1.08–1.95 and 3.05–13.15, respectively. The average heat transfer coefficient of supersonic steam jet condensation was found to be in the range of 0.63–3.44 MW/m²K. An analytical model of steam plume was found and the correlations to predict the maximum expansion ratio, dimensionless penetration length and average heat transfer coefficient were also investigated.