Abstract
Chute flow of spherical particles is numerically simulated by applying a particle element method, PEM. The calculated velocity distributions of flowing particles agree well with the measured ones, and it is confirmed that the particle element method is a useful tool for the simulation of the flow of granular materials. The microscopic state variables, porosity and dissipation energy distributions in the flow of granular materials, can be obtained by this simulation. The relationships between the velocity distributions and these state variables are discussed. These state variables are important factors in understanding the mechanical behavior of granular materials.
