Empirical assessment of the critical time increment in explicit particulate discrete element method simulations

This contribution considers the critical time increment (Δt_crit) to achieve stable simulations using particulate discrete element method (DEM) codes that adopt a Verlet-type time integration scheme. The Δt_crit is determined by considering the maximum vibration frequency of the system. Based on a series of parametric studies, Δt_crit is shown to depend on the particle mass (m), the maximum contact stiffness (K_max), and the maximum particle coordination number (C_N,max). Empirical expressions relating Δt_crit to m, K_max, and C_N,max are presented; while strictly only valid within the range of simulation scenarios considered here, these can inform DEM analysts selecting appropriate Δt_crit values.     

Seepage simulation using pipe network flow model in a discrete element system

The pipe network flow model can simulate the seepage process with DEM conveniently because of its simple algorithm. However, whether it can recover the correct seepage process has not been verified. In this paper, the equation to update the fluid pressure is rebuilt according to the flow conservation. Through the steady seepage simulation, this algorithm is verified to be able to recover Darcy’s law, and the equation to calibrate the aperture according to macro permeability is derived. Furthermore, the modified algorithm is used to simulate the unsteady seepage process, and the results show good agreement with the analytical solutions.     

An improved discrete element method based on a variational formulation of the frictional contact law

An improved algorithm based on the contact dynamics approach is proposed. Like previous developed algorithms it involves two stages. In the first one (local stage) for each particle, forces are computed from the relative displacement using an interaction law, which models frictional contact and shock. In the second stage (global stage) Newton's second law is used to determine, for each particle, the resulting acceleration which is then time-integrated to find the new particle positions. This process is repeated for each time step until convergence is achieved. The two distinguishing features of the present algorithm are the local integration of the frictional contact law and the convergence criterion. By adopting a variational statement of the frictional contact law based on the bi-potential concept, the integration procedure is reduced to a single predictor-corrector step and a new convergence criterion is introduced. Both aspects significantly reduce the computing time and enhance the convergence. Numerical applications show the robustness of the algorithm.     

Numerical study of inter‐particle bond failure by 3D discrete element method

The cohesive‐frictional nature of cementitious geomaterials raises great interest in the discrete element method (DEM) simulation of their mechanical behavior, where a proper bond failure criterion is usually required. In this paper, the failure of bond material between two spheres was investigated numerically using DEM that can easily reproduce the failure process of brittle material. In the DEM simulations, a bonded‐grain system (composed of two particles and bond material in between) was discretized as a cylindrical assembly of very fine particles connecting two large end spheres. Then, the bonded‐grain system was subjected to compression/tension, shear, rolling and torsion loadings and their combinations until overall failure (peak state) was reached. Bonded‐grain systems with various sizes were employed to investigate bond geometry effects. The numerical results show that the compression strength is highly affected by bond geometry, with the tensile strength being dependent to a lesser degree. The shear, rolling and torsion strengths are all normal force dependent; i.e., with an increase in the normal force, these strengths first increase at a declining rate and then start to decrease upon the normal force exceeding a critical value. The combined actions of shear force, rolling moment and torque lead to a spherical failure envelope in a normalized loading space. The fitted bond geometry factors and bond failure envelopes obtained numerically in this three‐dimensional study are qualitatively consistent with those in previous two‐dimensional experiments. The obtained bond failure criterion can be incorporated into a future bond contact model. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Granular element method for three‐dimensional discrete element calculations

This paper endows the recently‐proposed granular element method (GEM) with the ability to perform 3D discrete element calculations. By using non‐uniform rational B‐Splines to accurately represent complex grain geometries, we proposed an alternative approach to clustering‐based and polyhedra‐based discrete element methods whereby the need for complicated and ad hoc approaches to construct 3D grain geometries is entirely bypassed. We demonstrate the ability of GEM in capturing arbitrary‐shaped 3D grains with great ease, flexibility, and without excessive geometric information. Furthermore, the applicability of GEM is enhanced by its tight integration with existing non‐uniform rational B‐Splines modeling tools and ability to provide a seamless transition from binary images of real grain shapes (e.g., from 3D X‐ray CT) to modeling and discrete mechanics computations.Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

走滑拉分盆地中断裂发育特征的二维离散元数值模拟

走滑断裂带的发育演化过程与拉分盆地的形成演化有着密切的关系,主断层不同叠置范围下所发育的次级断裂及拉分盆地具不同的规模及形态。前人多利用物理模拟对走滑拉分盆地演化过程及断裂发育特征进行研究,缺乏对盆地演化过程中断裂变形特征分析及主断层不同叠置程度下断裂演变规律的探讨。本文基于离散元计算软件PFC2D,模拟了拉分盆地演化过程中走滑主断层在未叠置（underlapping）、侧接（neutral）、叠置（overlapping）三种情况下断裂的几何形态变化特征及其平面演变规律。结果表明拉分盆地断裂发育经历了从走滑主断层端点处向释压弯曲内部发育、再向外部扩展的过程,且无论走滑主断层叠置程度如何,该规律均有较好体现。此外,断裂发育位置与拉伸区域叠合度高,表明断裂的发育规律对拉分盆地的沉降中心迁移或具有重要指示意义。     

3D polycrystalline discrete element method (3PDEM) for simulation of crack initiation and propagation in granular rock

A three-dimensional Voronoi tessellation model based on the distinct element method (DEM) is proposed to model the representative part of the microstructures of granular brittle rocks. Regularization is employed to decrease the frequency of polyhedrons with large edge ratio and contributes to a higher efficiency for element meshing. Sensitivity analyses are performed for a series of micro contact parameters in accordance with the macro responses observed in laboratory experiments (e.g. the uniaxial compression test, the Brazilian disc test and the triaxial compression test). Verifications by simulating the spalling test and plate impact test indicate that the 3D polycrystalline discrete element method (3PDEM) can be employed for efficiently simulating nonlinear mechanical behaviors, large deformation, strain softening and rock dynamics.     

破碎岩体压实特性的三维离散元数值计算方法研究

研究破碎岩体的压实特性是矿井地下工程的基础工作之一,由于破碎岩体所处环境的隐蔽性与危险性,常采用实验室测试和数值计算的研究方法。提出了一种三维破碎岩体模型构建方法,即在3D Voronoi建立完整岩体数值模型的基础上,通过预定孔隙率,随机删除完整岩体中的块体反演破碎岩体结构,测定破碎岩体的压实特性。该方法可较真实地反映破碎岩体的块度特征、碎胀特性与压实特性,与现有研究方法有较高的吻合度,为矿山地下工程的安全控制提供了新的有效的研究方法。     

离散元计算的位移控制方法

基于离散单元的动态松弛法,提出了由每循环步允许块体最大位移增量控制每步块体求解的方法--位移控制法。该方法通过对块体的位移试算来决定时步的大小,不仅解决了离散元计算中的如叠合过大等问题,还可以提高计算的精度和效率。编制了相应的程序和程序流程图,并给出了算例分析。     

Shortest link method for contact detection in discrete element method

With the increasing demand for discrete element simulations with larger number of particles and more realistic particle geometries, the need for efficient contact detection algorithms is more evident. To date, the class of common plane (CP) methods is among the most effective and widely used contact detection algorithms in discrete element simulations of polygonal and polyhedral particles. This paper introduces a new approach to obtain the CP by employing a newly introduced concept of ‘shortest link’. Among all the possible line segments that connect any point on the surface of particle A to any point on the surface of particle B, the one with the shortest length defines the shortest link between the two particles. The perpendicular bisector plane of the shortest link fulfils all the conditions of a CP, suggesting that CP can be obtained by seeking the shortest link. A new algorithm, called shortest link method (SLM), is proposed to obtain the shortest link and subsequently the CP between any two polyhedral particles. Comparison of the analysis time between SLM and previously introduced algorithms demonstrate that SLM results in a substantial speed up for polyhedral particles contact detection. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An efficient finite–discrete element method for quasi‐static nonlinear soil–structure interaction problems

An efficient finite–discrete element method applicable for the analysis of quasi‐static nonlinear soil–structure interaction problems involving large deformations in three‐dimensional space was presented in this paper. The present method differs from previous approaches in that the use of very fine mesh and small time steps was not needed to stabilize the calculation. The domain involving the large displacement was modeled using discrete elements, whereas the rest of the domain was modeled using finite elements. Forces acting on the discrete and finite elements were related by introducing interface elements at the boundary of the two domains. To improve the stability of the developed method, we used explicit time integration with different damping schemes applied to each domain to relax the system and to reach stability condition. With appropriate damping schemes, a relatively coarse finite element mesh can be used, resulting in significant savings in the computation time. The proposed algorithm was validated using three different benchmark problems, and the numerical results were compared with existing analytical and numerical solutions. The algorithm performance in solving practical soil–structure interaction problems was also investigated by simulating a large‐scale soft ground tunneling problem involving soil loss near an existing lining. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Simulation of discrete cracks driven by nearly incompressible fluid via 2D combined finite-discrete element method

In this work, we propose a novel hydraulic solver in order to simulate key mechanisms that control fluid-driven cracks in the framework of the combined finite-discrete element method (FDEM). The main innovative aspect of the present work is the independence of the fluid's critical time step size with the fracture opening. This advantage is extremely important because it means that very fine meshes can be used around areas of interest, such as boreholes, without penalizing the computational cost as fractures propagate (ie, open) and the fluid flows through them. This is a great advantage over other recently introduced approaches that exhibit a dependency of the time step in the form of Δt_crit ∝ (l/a)² where l is the element size and a is the fracture aperture. This paper presents a series of benchmark cases for the proposed solver. The rationale adopted by the authors was to benchmark and validate the implementation of the hydraulic solver in an incremental fashion, starting from the simplest cases and building in complexity. The results shown in this work clearly demonstrate that the proposed approach is able to reproduce analytical results for fluid flow through a single crack. The results presented in this paper also demonstrate that the new approach is robust enough to deal with complex fracture patterns and complex geometries; the obtained fluid-driven fracture patterns in the vicinity of a borehole certainly stand to the scrutiny of human visual perception.     

坚硬顶板运动特征的数值模拟及非线性动力学分析

分别从三维离散单元法及非线性动力学方法两个角度研究了坚硬顶板的运动规律,得到了较一致的结论。坚硬顶板的初次垮落具有冲击性,应力水平较高,该阶段的LE1为负值,系统处于有序的定常态;所研究条件下实施防冲措施的最佳时机在第2阶段开采活动结束之前,可促使坚硬顶板从冲击性整体运动向周期性分段运动转化;∑(+LEi)表明第4阶段的混沌程度最高,对应应力水平适中的周期性运动阶段。研究表明,除了初次冲击性垮落阶段,坚硬顶板运动系统在其它阶段均处于孕育着变化的混沌态。     

Modeling the 2D behavior of dry‐stone retaining walls by a fully discrete element method

The dry‐stone retaining walls (DSRW) have been tipped as a promising solution for sustainable development. However, before recently, their behavior is relatively obscure. In this study, discrete element method (DEM) approach was applied to simulate the plane strain failure of these walls. A commercial DEM package (PFC2D™) was used throughout this study. The authors used a fully discrete approach; thus, both the wall and the backfill were modeled as discrete elements. The methodology for obtaining the micromechanical parameters was discussed in detail; this includes the three mechanical sub‐systems of DSRWs: wall, backfill and interface. The models were loaded progressively until failure, and then the results were compared with the full‐scale experimental results where the walls were loaded, respectively, with hydrostatic load and backfill. Despite its complexity and its intensive calculation time, DEM model can then be used to validate a more simplified approach. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

基于DDEM的自然崩落采矿法崩落规律的数值模拟

利用DDEM（可变形离散单元法）原理和方法,研究了自然崩落法矿体崩落规律。针对具体地质条件和赋存情况及矿岩物理力学性质,采用计算机数值模拟分析了自然崩落法的崩落规律,得出了DDEM在用于模拟矿块自然崩落法中崩落规律和分析其崩落机理时是较适合的结论,不仅可以从力学角度对崩落的力学机理进行研究,而且能直观地用图形给出矿体在崩落过程中的具体形态变化,有效地指导放矿,现场试验验证效果良好。     

二维非恒定渗流的有限元并行计算

建立了二维非恒定渗流的有限元并行计算模型,在windows操作系统下实现了基于消息传递的二维渗流的有限元并行计算。模型采用广义极小残余算法(GMRES)对方程组进行并行迭代求解,通过分析数据执行时的相关性和检验算法结构的固有串行性,将原有串行算法中的算法元直接并行化。对溪洛渡上游围堰的渗流分析进行了并行数值模拟,并针对水位骤降情况下非恒定渗流进行了并行计算,证明了模型的合理性。对模型进行了加速比测定,可以看出并行计算的效率随着问题规模的增加而逐渐提高。     

A calibration methodology to obtain material parameters for the representation of fracture mechanics based on discrete element simulations

A micro-mechanical model is developed to study the fracture propagation process in rocks. The model is represented by an array of bonded particles simulated by the discrete based method. Experimental results of tests using Cracked Chevron Notched Brazilian Discs (CCNBD) with different inclination angles relative to the direction of loading are used to calibrate and validate the model. Dimensional analysis is used to identify and minimise the microscale parameters to be considered. The comparison between experimental and computational results shows a satisfactorily good agreement.     

椭圆形颗粒堆积体模拟颗粒材料力学性能的离散元数值方法

针对离散元中圆形颗粒模拟出的内摩擦角小于真实砂土内摩擦角的缺陷,将已有NS2D离散元程序中的圆形颗粒参量改进为椭圆形颗粒参量,形成改进的NS2D程序。介绍了改进后NS2D程序的基本力学模型,详细推导了程序中椭圆颗粒间以及椭圆颗粒与墙之间接触点的力-位移关系。利用改进后的离散元程序分别模拟了恒定围压下长短轴比例分别为1.1:1、1.4:1,孔隙比均为0.19的椭圆颗粒堆积体的双轴试验,所得的内摩擦角在真实砂土的内摩擦角范围之内,且其应力特征与已有成果吻合良好,证明了改进后的NS2D离散元程序能够模拟分析真实砂土的力学性能     

Study on the particle breakage of ballast based on a GPU accelerated discrete element method

Breakage of particles will have greatly influence on mechanical behavior of granular material(GM)under external loads,such as ballast,rockfill and sand.The discrete element method(DEM)is one of the most popular methods for simulating GM as each particle is represented on its own.To study breakage mechanism of particle breakage,a cohesive contact mode is developed based on the GPU accelerated DEM code-Blaze-DEM.A database of the 3D geometry model of rock blocks is established based on the 3D scanning method.And an agglomerate describing the rock block with a series of non-overlapping spherical particles is used to build the DEM numerical model of a railway ballast sample,which is used to the DEM oedometric test to study the particles’breakage characteristics of the sample under external load.Furthermore,to obtain the meso-mechanical parameters used in DEM,a black-analysis method is used based on the laboratory tests of the rock sample.Based on the DEM numerical tests,the particle breakage process and mechanisms of the railway ballast are studied.All results show that the developed code can better used for large scale simulation of the particle breakage analysis of granular material.