Flexible polyhedra modeled by the virtual element method in a discrete element context

authored by: Alfredo Gay Neto, Blaž Hudobivnik, Tiago Fernandes Moherdaui, Peter Wriggers
Abstract: Systems composed of numerous particles, as granular materials, can be simulated by the discrete element method (DEM). There are numerous versions of DEM considering particle shapes as spheres, superellipsoids, polyhedra and others. Classically, particles are considered rigid and the only flexibility present in the model is local, embedded in the contact interface model. Such treatment seems not to be adequate when one is interested in simulating phenomena dependent on the general flexibility of particles and investigating their effects in granular media. The present work proposes a method to introduce flexible particles of polyhedral shape within the DEM context. We employ the Virtual Element Method (VEM) for the spatial discretization of particles, taking advantage of its geometrical versatility, modeling each particle with a single-element. The dynamical behavior of the resulting particle system is predicted using an implicit time-integration. Contact between polyhedral particles (possibly non-convex) is addressed by the master–master contact technique and its degenerations, employing a barrier-based interface law. Examples include studies and discussions on the VEM's stiffness and mass stabilization parameters, such as simulations of systems composed of flexible polyhedral particles as a sand-material pack under compression and a hopper discharging process.
Organisation(s): Institute of Continuum Mechanics
External Organisation(s): Universidade de Sao Paulo
Type: Article
Journal: Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering
Volume: 387
ISSN: 0045-7825
Publication date: 15.12.2021
Publication status: Published
Peer reviewed: Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas: Computational Mechanics, Mechanics of Materials, Mechanical Engineering, General Physics and Astronomy, Computer Science Applications
Electronic version(s): https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cma.2021.114163 (Access: Closed)
: Details in the research portal "Research@Leibniz University"

BibTeX

@article{dbb3b23920514ebe9c29bd4500882af0,
title = "Flexible polyhedra modeled by the virtual element method in a discrete element context",
abstract = "Systems composed of numerous particles, as granular materials, can be simulated by the discrete element method (DEM). There are numerous versions of DEM considering particle shapes as spheres, superellipsoids, polyhedra and others. Classically, particles are considered rigid and the only flexibility present in the model is local, embedded in the contact interface model. Such treatment seems not to be adequate when one is interested in simulating phenomena dependent on the general flexibility of particles and investigating their effects in granular media. The present work proposes a method to introduce flexible particles of polyhedral shape within the DEM context. We employ the Virtual Element Method (VEM) for the spatial discretization of particles, taking advantage of its geometrical versatility, modeling each particle with a single-element. The dynamical behavior of the resulting particle system is predicted using an implicit time-integration. Contact between polyhedral particles (possibly non-convex) is addressed by the master–master contact technique and its degenerations, employing a barrier-based interface law. Examples include studies and discussions on the VEM's stiffness and mass stabilization parameters, such as simulations of systems composed of flexible polyhedral particles as a sand-material pack under compression and a hopper discharging process.",
keywords = "Discrete element method, Friction, master–master contact, Polyhedra, Virtual Element Method",
author = "{Gay Neto}, Alfredo and Bla{\v z} Hudobivnik and Moherdaui, {Tiago Fernandes} and Peter Wriggers",
note = "Funding Information: This study was funded by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, Germany and in part by the Coordena{\c c}{\~a}o de Aperfei{\c c}oamento de Pessoal de N{\'i}vel Superior - Brasil (CAPES) - Finance Code 001. ",
year = "2021",
month = dec,
day = "15",
doi = "10.1016/j.cma.2021.114163",
language = "English",
volume = "387",
journal = "Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering",
issn = "0045-7825",
publisher = "Elsevier",
}