Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/11681/32572
Title: Development of the particle-scale definition of stress and strain for the discrete element method : Report 3 in “Discrete nano-scale mechanics and simulations” series
Authors: Hodo, Wayne D.
Peters, John F.
Walizer, Laura E.
McInnis, David P.
Carrillo, Alejandro R.
Keywords: Discrete particle physics
Micro-mechanical behavior
Discrete element method
Nano-scale mechanics
Granular media
Materials--Mathematical models
Strains and stresses
Publisher: Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory (U.S.)
Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory (U.S.)
Engineer Research and Development Center (U.S.)
Series/Report no.: Technical Report (Engineer Research and Development Center (U.S.)) ; no. ERDC TR-14-6; Report 3
Abstract: The discrete element method (DEM) provides a realistic approach to modeling materials at fundamental length scales. Materials at the discrete scale can be the particle size in granular materials, micrometer sizes when dealing with polycrystalline materials, or nanometer sizes when dealing with biologic materials. Complex material behavior can be simulated as relatively simple interactions between discrete entities, obviating the need for sophisticated constitutive models. The ultimate goal is to obtain the engineering behavior at the prototype scale at which problems are formulated in terms of continuum mechanics. The simple concepts of kinematics for the discrete entities are tied to continuum quantities using affine projections and thermodynamic conjugates. The continuum quantities such as force and displacement are equated to their continuum counterparts, stress and strain, using the method of virtual power. The kinematics at the fundamental scale include the rotations of the discrete elements, which in contrast to those of material points in a continuum are independent of the translational motion. To accommodate the rotations as independent variables, the Cosserat continuum theory is used. The procedures are implemented in a Fortran subroutine, which can be used in the post-processing phase of DEM simulations. Example computations for three test cases are included.
Description: Technical Report
Gov't Doc #: ERDC TR-14-6; Report 3
Rights: Approved for Public Release; Distribution is Unlimited
URI: https://hdl.handle.net/11681/32572
http://dx.doi.org/10.21079/11681/32572
Appears in Collections:Technical Report

Files in This Item:
File Description SizeFormat 
ERDC TR-14-6 Report 3.pdf4.23 MBAdobe PDFThumbnail
View/Open