Particle Shape Generation using Spherical Harmonic Modeling and Principal Component Analysis and Application of the Discrete Element Method

Abstract

In various fields, most raw materials are in a granular state: their bulk properties are therefore of interest. The discrete element method (DEM) is frequently used to determine these properties. As numerous particles can be simulated by DEM, and particle shapes affect bulk properties, effective modeling of realistic particle shapes is required. In this study, two types of DEM simulations were compared: one using real ore particle shape, and one using particle shape computed by spherical harmonic-based principal component analysis. We confirmed the latter to successfully reproduce the bulk properties (repose angle, porosity, and coordination number) of the former.