2010 Volume 47 Issue 4 Pages 214-221
The Discrete Element Method (DEM) is widely used in computational granular dynamics. The DEM is a Lagrangian approach where individual particles are calculated based on the Newton's second law of motion. Hence, the DEM enables us to investigate the granular flow characteristics at the particle level. Spherical particles has been used in most of the DEM simulations because the contact judgement is easy. On the other hand, the particle shape might affect the powder flowability. When effect of the particle shape on the flowability cannot be neglected, the particle shape was modeled by meshes or cluster of calculated particles in the past studies. However, the calculation cost of these models became too expensive. As a result, these models could not be applied in large scale powder systems. Thereat, a new modeling which gives the effect of particle shape is developed in the present study. This model is called rotational resistance model. The rotational resistance based on the particle shape is modeled in the DEM. This model can simulate the nonspherical particle behavior without excessive calculation cost. The adequacy of this model is proved by experiment in this study.
