Coupling electrical and mechanical effects in discrete element simulations

When investigating the electrical characteristics of granular assemblies under dynamical solicitations (powder, steel bead assemblies, etc.), it is difficult to distinguish between effects that are purely electrical and those that are strongly dependent on mechanical effects. Although numerous experimental works have permitted better understanding of the static electrical behaviour of such media, it is difficult to determine the effects control the multi‐physical behaviour of the medium, especially under dynamical solicitations. In the present paper, numerical investigations of the electrical characteristics of granular material are proposed. Moreover, it presents the formulation of a new model, embedded in the general scheme of discrete element methods, that couples electrical and mechanical effects and takes into account the oxidation phenomenon. Numerical simulations on the basis of experimental works are performed to validate the model, and the results of dynamical simulations are discussed. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Analytical study of the accuracy of discrete element simulations

The numerical errors was used to verify the correctness of key results. The truncation errors, which are larger than the round‐off errors by orders of magnitude, have a superlinear relationship with both the simulation time‐step and the interparticle collision speed. This remains the case regardless of the simulation details including the chosen contact model, particle size distribution, particle density or stiffness. Hence, the total errors can usually be reduced by choosing a smaller time‐step. Increasing the polydispersity in a simulation by including smaller particles necessitates choosing a smaller time‐step to maintain simulation stability and reduces the truncation errors in most cases. The truncation errors are increased by the dissipation of energy by frictional sliding or by the inclusion of damping in the system. The number of contacts affects the accuracy, and one can deduce that because 2D simulations contain fewer interparticle contacts than the equivalent 3D simulations, they therefore have lower accrued simulation errors. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Micro-scale fatigue mechanisms in metals: Insights gained from small-scale experiments and discrete dislocation dynamics simulations

This review paper providing a comprehensive review of insights gained from cyclic loading discrete dislocation dynamics simulations and micro-scale fatigue experiments on dislocation structure evolution, size effects on fatigue life and fatigue strength, and crack initiation/propagation in metals.     

The importance of parameter-dependent coefficient of restitution in discrete element method simulations

The coefficient of restitution (COR) is an important constant that represents the energy dissipation during contact between two objects. Simulation using the conventional discrete element method (DEM) involves a constant COR. This study presents a DEM simulation method that uses a parameter-dependent COR. The parameter-dependent COR was obtained from a collision incident between spherical particles and a plate surface using a drop-test apparatus. Glass and polypropylene beads of 3–6-mm diameter were used while acrylic and steel were used as the plate surfaces. The particle trajectories were captured by a high-speed camera and analyzed by an image analyzer. The COR was then correlated to a parameter-dependent COR function that depends on the material, impact velocity, and temperature. Free-fall DEM simulations using a constant COR and parameter-dependent COR were compared. The parameter-dependent COR approach obtained better agreement with experimental results than the constant-COR approach. The proposed concept could be applied for other material combinations with a wide range of operating conditions to obtain a database of parameter-dependent COR values for the simulation of solid handling applications.     

Granular object morphological generation with genetic algorithms for discrete element simulations

The Discrete Element Method is a popular method for modeling granular materials, however, it is typically limited to geometrically simple objects. A recent extension of this method, the Level Set Discrete Element Method (LS-DEM), overcomes this issue by allowing the use of any particle shape, including morphologically accurate computational grains generated from tomographic images. This method has the ability to provide insight into the physics of granular media that are challenging if granular shape morphology is not accurately represented. One challenge with fully utilizing LS-DEM is gathering the data necessary to reproduce the distinct shapes of grains. In this work, we develop a novel granular generation method that uses genetic algorithms to create new computational grains from a smaller set of input data. This method has the capability of building grains that match any well defined morphological property. We demonstrate the method by generating grains to match sphericity and principal curvature property distributions generated from an existing particle dataset captured with 3D X-Ray tomography.     

Refining constitutive relation by integration of finite element simulations and Gleeble experiments

Thermo-mechanical coupled finite element calculations were carried out to simulate the Gleeble compression of the samples of a titanium alloy (Ti60), and the results are analyzed and compared with the actual compression tests conducted on a Gleeble 3800 thermo-mechanical simulator. The changes in temperature, stress and strain distribution in the samples and the source of error on the constitutive relations from Gleeble hot compression test were analyzed in detail. Both simulations and experiments showed that the temperature distribution in the specimen is not uniform during hot compression, resulting in significant deformation inhomogeneity and non-ignorable error in the flow stress strain relation, invalidating the uniform strain assumption commonly assumed when extracting the constitutive relation from Gleeble tests. Based on the finite element simulations with iterative corrections, we propose a scheme to refine the constitutive relations from Gleeble tests.     

Three-dimensional finite element simulations of mixed-mode stable tearing crack growth experiments

Mixed-mode stable tearing crack growth events in Arcan plate specimens made of aluminum alloy 2024-T3 are simulated using three-dimensional (3D) finite element methods. A modeling/simulation procedure utilizing a mixed-mode CTOD fracture criterion and the custom 3D crack growth simulation software, CRACK3D, with an automatic local re-meshing option is demonstrated. Simulation predictions of the load-crack extension curve and the in-plane curvilinear crack growth path are compared with experimental measurements for various mixed-mode loading cases. Issues such as the effects of near-tip finite element size and crack extension increment size on simulation predictions are investigated.     

Linear-frictional contact model for 3D discrete element simulations of granular systems

The linear-frictional contact model is the most commonly used contact mechanism for discrete element (DEM) simulations of granular materials. Linear springs with a frictional slider are used for modeling interactions in directions normal and tangential to the contact surface. Although the model is simple in two dimensions, its implementation in 3D faces certain subtle challenges, and the particle interactions that occur within a single time step require careful modeling with a robust algorithm. The paper details a three-dimensional algorithm that accounts for the changing direction of the tangential force within a time step, the transition from elastic to slip behavior within a time step, possible contact sliding during only part of a time step, and twirling and rotation of the tangential force during a time step. Without three of these adjustments, errors are introduced in the incremental stiffness of an assembly. Without the fourth adjustment, the resulting stress tensor is not only incorrect but it is also no longer a tensor. The algorithm also computes the work increments during a time step, both elastic and dissipative.     

Probabilistic calibration of discrete element simulations using the sequential quasi-Monte Carlo filter

The calibration of discrete element method (DEM) simulations is typically accomplished in a trial-and-error manner. It generally lacks objectivity and is filled with uncertainties. To deal with these issues, the sequential quasi-Monte Carlo (SQMC) filter is employed as a novel approach to calibrating the DEM models of granular materials. Within the sequential Bayesian framework, the posterior probability density functions (PDFs) of micromechanical parameters, conditioned to the experimentally obtained stress–strain behavior of granular soils, are approximated by independent model trajectories. In this work, two different contact laws are employed in DEM simulations and a granular soil specimen is modeled as polydisperse packing using various numbers of spherical grains. Knowing the evolution of physical states of the material, the proposed probabilistic calibration method can recursively update the posterior PDFs in a five-dimensional parameter space based on the Bayes’ rule. Both the identified parameters and posterior PDFs are analyzed to understand the effect of grain configuration and loading conditions. Numerical predictions using parameter sets with the highest posterior probabilities agree well with the experimental results. The advantage of the SQMC filter lies in the estimation of posterior PDFs, from which the robustness of the selected contact laws, the uncertainties of the micromechanical parameters and their interactions are all analyzed. The micro–macro correlations, which are byproducts of the probabilistic calibration, are extracted to provide insights into the multiscale mechanics of dense granular materials.     

Recent progress on the discrete element method simulations for powder transport systems: A review

Powder transport systems are ubiquitous in various industries, where they can encounter single powder flow, two-phase flow with solids carried by gas or liquid, and gas–solid–liquid three-phase flow. System geometry, operating conditions, and particle properties have significant impacts on the flow behavior, making it difficult to achieve good transportation of granular materials. Compared to experimental trials and theoretical studies, the numerical approach provides unparalleled advantages over the investigation and prediction of detailed flow behavior, of which the discrete element method (DEM) can precisely capture complex particle-scale information and attract a plethora of research interests. This is the first study to review recent progress in the DEM and coupled DEM with computational fluid dynamics for extensive powder transport systems, including single-particle, gas–solid/solid–liquid, and gas–solid–liquid flows. Some important aspects (i.e., powder electrification during pneumatic conveying, pipe bend erosion, non-spherical particle transport) that have not been well summarized previously are given special attention, as is the application in some new-rising fields (ocean mining, hydraulic fracturing, and gas/oil production). Studies involving important large-scale computation methods, such as the coarse grained DEM, graphical processing unit-based technique, and periodic boundary condition, are also introduced to provide insight for industrial application. This review study conducts a comprehensive survey of the DEM studies in powder transport systems.     

Crepuscular rays: laboratory experiments and simulations

Model simulations of laboratory-generated and natural crepuscular rays are presented. Rays are created in the laboratory with parallel light beams that pass through artificial fogs and milk-water solutions. Light scattered by 90° in a dilute mixture of whole milk first increases in intensity with distance from the source to a maximum as a result of multiple scattering by mainly small angles before decreasing exponentially due to extinction as distance continues to increase. Crepuscular rays are simulated for three cloud configurations. In case 1, the Sun at the zenith is blocked by a cloud with an overhanging anvil. The rays appear white against blue sky and are brightest when atmospheric turbidity, β≈11. Shading by the anvil separates maximum brightness from apparent cloud edge. In case 2, a ray passes through a rectangular gap in a cloud layer. The ray is faint blue in a molecular atmosphere but turns pale yellow as β and solar zenith angle, φ(sun), increase. At φ(sun)=60° it appears most striking when the cloud is optically thick, β≈5, and the beam width Δx≈1000 m. In these cases, increasing aerosol radius, r(aer), to about 1000 nm brightens, narrows, and shortens rays. In case 3, the twilight Sun is shaded by a towering cloud or mountain. The shaded rays are deeper blue than the sunlit sky because the light originates higher in the atmosphere, where short waves have suffered less depletion from scattering. The long optical path taken by sunlight at twilight makes color and lighting contrasts of the rays greatest when the air is quite clean, i.e., for β-1?1. In all cases, the brightest rays occur when sunlight passes through an optical thickness of atmosphere, τ≈O(1).     

Analysis of a triangulation based approach for specimen generation for discrete element simulations

Discrete element methods are emerging as useful numerical analysis tools for engineers concerned with granular materials such as soil, food grains, or pharmaceutical powders. Obviously, the first step in a discrete element simulation is the generation of the geometry of the system of interest. The system geometry is defined by the boundary conditions as well as the shape characteristics (including size) and initial coordinates of the particles in the system. While a variety of specimen generation methods for particulate materials have been developed, there is no uniform agreement on the optimum specimen generation approach. This paper proposes a new triangulation based approach that can easily be implemented in two or three dimensions. The concept of this approach (in two dimensions) is to triangulate a system of points within the domain of interest, creating a mesh of triangles. Then the particles are inserted as the incircles of these triangles. Extension to three dimensions using a mesh of tetrahedra and inserting the inspheres is relatively trivial. The major advantages of this approach include the relative simplicity of the algorithm and the small computational cost associated with the preparation of an initial particle assembly. The sensitivity of the characteristics of the particulate material that is generated to the topology of the triangular mesh used is explored. The approach is compared with other currently used methods in both two and three dimensions. These comparisons indicate that while this approach can successfully generate relatively dense two-dimensional particle assemblies, the three- dimensional implementation is less effective at generating dense systems than other available approaches. The research presented in this paper made use of software developed by other researchers. For the two-dimensional study the program Triangle developed by Jonathan Shewchuk was used. The three-dimensional analysis used the Geompack++ program developed by Barry Joe as well as an implementation of the Jodrey and Tory (1985) algorithm by Monika Bargiel and Jacek Moscinski called NSCP3D.     

Implementation of the Jäger contact model for discrete element simulations

In three‐dimensional discrete element method (DEM) simulations, the particle motions within a granular assembly can produce bewildering sequences of movements at the contacts between particle pairs. With frictional contacts, the relationship between contact movement and force is non‐linear and path‐dependent, requiring an efficient means of computing the forces and storing their histories. By cleverly applying the principles of Cattaneo, Mindlin, and Deresiewicz, J”urgen Jäger developed an efficient approach for computing the full three‐dimensional force between identical elastic spheres that have undergone difficult movement sequences (J. Jäger, New Solutions in Contact Mechanics. WIT Press: Southampton, U.K.). This paper presents a complete Jäger algorithm that can be incorporated into DEM codes and also describes three special provisions for DEM simulations: (1) a method for handling particle pairs that undergo complex tumbling and twirling motions in three‐dimensions; (2) a compact data structure for storing the loading history of the many contacts in a large assembly; and (3) an approximation of the Jäger algorithm that reduces memory demand. The algorithm addresses contact translations between elastic spheres having identical properties, but it does not resolve the tractions produced by twisting or rolling motions. A performance test demonstrates that the algorithm can be applied in a DEM code with modest increases in computation time but with more substantial increases in required storage. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An algorithm to generate random dense arrangements for discrete element simulations of granular assemblies

A discrete element simulation of a mechanical problem involving granular materials begins with the definition of the geometry of the sample to be analyzed. Since the dynamic sample preparation methods typically used in the practice are very time-consuming, constructive algorithms are becoming increasingly popular. This paper introduces a novel constructive method for the preparation of random, isotropic assemblies of contacting circular discs with a user-defined grain size distribution. The proposed approach is compared with other currently applied sample preparation methods.     

库侧卸料筒仓的物料流动和侧压力离散元模拟

采用离散元方法,研究高径比对库侧卸料筒仓的物料流动方式和仓壁侧压力分布规律的影响;采用仓内储料为直径6 mm的玻璃球,离散元模拟结果与筒仓试验的卸料时间、侧压力分布、卸料速度以及流动方式等基本一致,验证了离散元模型的准确性。模拟结果表明:高径比对仓内物料的流动规律和卸料速度有较大影响,高径较小时仓内物料为管状流动,随着高径比增大,流动通道扩展到筒仓全部横断面,形成整体流动,卸料速度增大;流动通道内物料对仓壁侧压力的分布规律不受高径比影响,沿高度均呈抛物线状分布,且低于静止区域处侧压力。     

Two-dimensional bioluminescence tomography: numerical simulations and phantom experiments

The reconstruction of internal light sources in bioluminescence tomography (BLT) is a challenging inverse problem because of the limited amount of information available compared with that for other kinds of tomography such as fluorescence tomography in which external illumination sources are used. We demonstrated previously, using phantom experiments, that a target containing luciferases could be detected tomographically when the target was located relatively close to the imaging boundary. Here we describe an improved BLT reconstruction method that can detect luciferase-containing targets located anywhere within an imaging domain. The method is tested with numerical simulations and further confirmed with several phantom experiments.     

Edge impact to composite laminates: experiments and simulations

Composite laminates are increasingly being used in more complex structural applications where edges and cut outs are inevitable. These applications include wing skins of military and civil aircraft, further aerospace applications as well as automotive panels and critical structures. Parts of composite structures are particularly vulnerable to impacts, including near the edge of an inspection port or other aperture. Furthermore, impacts to such areas may be to the edge of the laminate rather than the surface. The research described here includes both experimental investigations and finite element simulations of impact damage on the plane of the laminate but near the edge (near-edge), and on the edge (on-edge) of composite laminates. The damage size and mechanisms have been explored. The results demonstrate the vulnerability of composite laminates to on-edge impact.     

A new algorithm for contact detection between spherical particle and triangulated mesh boundary in discrete element method simulations

In discrete element method (DEM) simulations of real scale, the spherical particles are commonly employed for increasing the computation speed, and the complex boundary models are represented by triangle meshes with controllable accuracy. A new contact detection algorithm has been developed to resolve the contacts between the spheres and the triangle mesh boundaries. The application of the barycentric coordinates makes this algorithm more efficient to identify contacts in the intersection test. As a particle probably collides with several triangles at the same time, the multiple contacts would be reported as face contacts, edge contacts, or vertex contacts. Moreover, the particle embedding in a triangle can be also contact with the edges or vertices of the next triangles. These contacts should be considered as invalid for updating contact forces in the DEM. To exclude invalid records from the multiple contacts, the algorithm gives attention to the mesh structure nearby contacts and analyzes all possible collision situations. Numerical experiments have been conducted to verify this algorithm by using the algorithm in the DEM simulation framework. The numerical results suggest that the algorithm can resolve all contacts precisely and stably when the spherical particles collide on the complex boundary circumstances. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Replacement of R22 in tube-and-shell condensers: experiments and simulations

An investigation of the change in condenser overall heat transfer coefficient when replacing R22 with one of the three mixtures R407C, R404A and R410B was made, both experimentally and theoretically. Measurements have been carried out on a full-scale test plant consisting of a horizontal shell-side condenser. According to the measurements the decrease in overall heat transfer coefficient for the non-azeotropic mixture R407C was very large, up to 70% compared to R22, while for the near-azeotropic mixture R404A the decrease was less than 15%. Simulations of the condenser were done with a comprehensive computer program, calculating the condensation heat transfer with an approximate method including a correction for mass resistance. The calculation model was not able to predict this large degradation for the non-azeotropic mixture, while the predictions agreed rather well with the measurements for the pure fluid and the near-azeotropic mixtures.     

Mixing assessment of non-cohesive particles in a paddle mixer through experiments and discrete element method (DEM)

In this study the mixing kinetics and flow patterns of non-cohesive, monodisperse, spherical particles in a horizontal paddle blender were investigated using experiments, statistical analysis and discrete element method (DEM). EDEM 2.7 commercial software was used as the DEM solver. The experiment and simulation results were found to be in a good agreement. The calibrated DEM model was then utilized to examine the effects of the impeller rotational speed, vessel fill level and particle loading arrangement on the overall mixing quality quantified by the relative standard deviation (RSD) mixing index. The simulation results revealed as the impeller rotational speed was increased from 10?RPM to 40?RPM, generally a better degree of mixing was reached for all particle loading arrangements and vessel fill levels. As the impeller rotational speed was increased further from 40?RPM to 70?RPM the mixing quality was affected, for a vessel fill level of 60% and irrespective of the particle loading arrangement. Increasing the vessel fill level from 40% to 60% enhanced the mixing performance when impeller rotational speed of 40?RPM and 70?RPM were used. However, the mixing quality was independent of vessel fill level for almost all simulation cases when 10?RPM was applied, regardless of the particle loading arrangement. Furthermore, it was concluded that the particle loading arrangement did not have a considerable effect on the mixing index. ANOVA showed that impeller rotational speed had the strongest influence on the mixing quality, followed by the quadratic effect of impeller rotational speed, and lastly the vessel fill level. The granular temperature data indicated that increasing the impeller rotational speed from 10?RPM to 70?RPM resulted in higher granular temperature values. By evaluating the diffusivity coefficient and Peclet number, it was concluded that the dominant mixing mechanism in the current mixing system was diffusion.