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Thirty years of developments in contact modelling of non-spherical particles in DEM: a selective review

非球形颗粒离散元接触模型和方法三十年发展概述

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Abstract

The discrete element method has advanced significantly since it originated in 1979. This paper aims to provide a selective overview of some major developments on contact modelling methodologies for non-spherical particles in DEM over the last three decades. More attention is specifically paid towards developments in the early years. This review mainly focuses on the geometric aspects of contact modelling methods without touching upon material related physical issues. Various shape representation schemes for non-spherical particles are first presented using a classification system, followed by the critical review of contact modelling approaches for almost all contact types of non-spherical shapes. In addition to outlining key ideas, concepts and novel computational procedures that are proposed in these methodologies in a systematic and logically constructed manner, their evolutions and inter-relations in particular are also discussed in detail. Moreover, possible problems and unresolved issues for each method reviewed are highlighted, and possible solutions are pointed out where applicable.

摘要

离散元方法(DEM)自1979年提出以来, 在过去四十年中取得了显著的发展. 本文旨在选择性地概述离散元方法中非球形颗粒 接触模型和计算方法三十年来的主要进展, 并更多地关注早期的发展. 本综述主要关注接触模型的几何方面, 不涉及与材料相关的物 理问题. 首先分类描述了非球形颗粒几何形状的各种表示方案, 然后对几乎所有非球形颗粒接触模型和方法进行了系统性地梳理和讨 论, 除概述这些方法和模型的关键思想、主要概念以及原创性的计算方法外, 还详细讨论了它们的演变和相互关系. 最后还简要评述 了每种方法可能存在的问题和未解决的问题, 并指出可能的解决方案.

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Acknowledgements

This work was partially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 12072217). The author would like to express his sincere thanks to Professor Shunying Ji and Dr. Shiqiang Wang from Dalian University of Technology, China, for kindly sharing with me their large collections of DEM literature on the topics covered, without which this review could not be accomplished in the current form.

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  1. Zienkiewicz Centre for Computational Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Swansea University, Sketty, UK

    Y. T. Feng  (冯云田)

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Correspondence to Y. T. Feng  (冯云田).

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Feng, Y.T. Thirty years of developments in contact modelling of non-spherical particles in DEM: a selective review. Acta Mech. Sin. 39, 722343 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10409-022-22343-x

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