DEM modelling of granular materials with real shape morphology

Abstract

Particle shape of a non-spherical particle (clump) was reconstructed with the application of X-ray computed tomography (μCT). Shapes of the generated clumps were quantitatively estimated and correlated with the number of spheres (N_s). Subsequently, granular assemblies were prepared using these clumps in DEM simulations. After isotropic consolidation, the void ratio (e₀) and mean coordination number ( ) of granular assemblies were correlated with N_s and overall regularity (OR), respectively. The DEM results found N_s=25 for clumps is sufficient to represent the real particle shapes. Meanwhile, e₀ and were found to decrease with the increase of OR.