A discrete element analysis of cohesive granular bulk solid materials

In bulk handling applications, such as conveying and storage, understanding the effect cohesion has upon the flow-ability of particulate systems at the macroscopic scale is crucial in increasing the avenues of operation unit design improvements and handling scenarios of industrial operational units. This research provides a better understanding of the role cohesion has on the flow-ability of bulk solids materials through the development, implementation and application of a macroscopic elasto-plastic adhesive (MEPA) contact model within an open source HPC general purpose Discrete Element Method (DEM) computer code. This investigation proposed a DEM history dependent particle-particle MEPA contact model that accounts for both elastic and plastic contact deformations and adhesive attractions. The research tasks are focused in three major areas: 1) DEM applications for the analysis of cohesive bulk solids, 2) modeling stress history ependency of cohesive strength, and 3) the prediction of flow properties in test applications that are comparable to experimental results. The MEPA model applied herein is a three branched non-linear contact model that simulates the virgin compaction loading, unloading/reloading and adhesion behavior of a part iculate solid

An approach to dem material characterization in coheisve granular bulk solid materials

In bulk handling applications, such as conveying and storage, understanding the DEM particle characteristics to best simulate the flow of particulate systems at the macroscopic scale addresses an uncertainty in the DEM simulation of operational unit design and handling scenarios. This research provides a better understanding of the role adequate DEM material properties have on the flow-ability of bulk solid materials through the development, implementation and application of a generic material model procedure used in developing DEM input properties from physical testing data. This investigation proposes coupling physical material testing procedures with a DEM history dependent particle-particle macroscopic elasto-plastic adhesive contact model that accounts for both elastic and plastic contact deformations and cohesive attractions [1, 2]. The research application tasks are focused on three major areas: 1) measure a bulk solid’s cohesive and frictional properties under mass flow and pressure, 2) simulate each material sample through a series of test controlled standards, 3) verify the suitable predicted material properties in the test applications simulate and are comparable to experimental results. As part of physical testing, such simulations can be used as part of the optimization for bulk handling design and operation

An approach to dem material characterization in coheisve granular bulk solid materials

In bulk handling applications, such as conveying and storage, understanding the DEM particle characteristics to best simulate the flow of particulate systems at the macroscopic scale addresses an uncertainty in the DEM simulation of operational unit design and handling scenarios. This research provides a better understanding of the role adequate DEM material properties have on the flow-ability of bulk solid materials through the development, implementation and application of a generic material model procedure used in developing DEM input properties from physical testing data. This investigation proposes coupling physical material testing procedures with a DEM history dependent particle-particle macroscopic elasto-plastic adhesive contact model that accounts for both elastic and plastic contact deformations and cohesive attractions [1, 2]. The research application tasks are focused on three major areas: 1) measure a bulk solid’s cohesive and frictional properties under mass flow and pressure, 2) simulate each material sample through a series of test controlled standards, 3) verify the suitable predicted material properties in the test applications simulate and are comparable to experimental results. As part of physical testing, such simulations can be used as part of the optimization for bulk handling design and operation

A discrete element analysis of cohesive granular bulk solid materials

In bulk handling applications, such as conveying and storage, understanding the effect cohesion has upon the flow-ability of particulate systems at the macroscopic scale is crucial in increasing the avenues of operation unit design improvements and handling scenarios of industrial operational units. This research provides a better understanding of the role cohesion has on the flow-ability of bulk solids materials through the development, implementation and application of a macroscopic elasto-plastic adhesive (MEPA) contact model within an open source HPC general purpose Discrete Element Method (DEM) computer code. This investigation proposed a DEM history dependent particle-particle MEPA contact model that accounts for both elastic and plastic contact deformations and adhesive attractions. The research tasks are focused in three major areas: 1) DEM applications for the analysis of cohesive bulk solids, 2) modeling stress history ependency of cohesive strength, and 3) the prediction of flow properties in test applications that are comparable to experimental results. The MEPA model applied herein is a three branched non-linear contact model that simulates the virgin compaction loading, unloading/reloading and adhesion behavior of a part iculate solid