Abstract
In usual analysis using the granular element method, global stiffness matrix is rarely applied. The main reason is that inverse matrix calculation for a large matrix was considered to be inefficient. However, from the author's experience there is an efficiently calculated case in which the global stiffness matrix is applied in comparison with a calculation performed without applying the global stiffness matrix for the same problem. Therefore, formularization of the granular element analysis in which the global stiffness matrix is applied is presented. Irregularly shaped elements composed of circles or spheres are used in the formularization. Analytical results of reproducing shear tests on stacks of aluminum rods are also presented.
