Abstract: | In this paper, we consider the complex problem of how to simulate particle contacts, taking into account the cohesion effect. In accordance with the molecular dynamics models, we propose a novel expression for the repulsive force which controls dynamically the transfer and dissipation of energy in granular media. This expression is formulated under fractional calculus, where a fractional derivative accumulates the whole history of the virtual overlap over time in weighted form. We then discuss and illustrate the basic properties of the repulsive force in a normal direction to the contacting surfaces. This approach allows us to perform simulations of arbitrary multiparticle contacts as well as granular cohesion dynamics. |