A fast model for the simulation of non-round particles

Abstract

This paper describes a new, computationally efficient model for the discrete element simulation of a certain class of non-round particles. The boundaries of the particles in this model are constructed from the circular segments of different radii in such a way that connections between these segments are continuous. As such, the model does not permit the simulation of arbitrarily shaped particles, but it does allow a wide enough variety of shapes to assess the effects of non-round shapes (in particular, particle interlocking) in an efficient manner. A direct test of the models performance demonstrates that the model is much more efficient than other models for non-round particles currently available and is less than two times slower than models for the same number of round particles.