DEM Simulation for Irregular Particles using the Equivalent Rolling Friction Coefficient

Abstract

A new simulation method using spherical particles with an equivalent rolling friction coefficient was proposed to efficiently incorporate the effect of particle shape on powder behavior into the distinct element method (DEM).
It was shown that the coefficient of rolling friction depends on the coefficients related to particle shape and rotational angular velocity from analysis of the behavior of a polygonal pillar rolling on an inclined plate. Then the behavior of the polygonal pillar was represented by the DEM simulation using a cylinder model with the equivalent value of the rolling friction of the polygonal pillar. Next, the coefficient of rolling friction of irregular particles was obtained by the equivalent rolling friction coefficient predicted by using Profile Fourier coefficients of the irregular particles. The simulated flow behaviors of the irregular particles on the inclined plate using spherical model were in good agreement with the experimental ones, and the reliability of the proposed shape description of irregular particles and their equivalent rolling friction coefficient were confirmed.