How to Gamble with DEM Contact Models and their Validation

Abstract

Maheandar Manokaran and Martin Morgeneyer

The granular matter is abundant in nature and is one of the starting materials for most industries. To improve industrial process- es and equipment for handling bulk solids, the behavior of materials must be understood, modeled, and predicted. The Discrete Element Method (DEM) is a suitable numerical tool for this purpose and has been used by researchers and engineers to analyse various industrial applications and processes. However, before performing mass modeling, the input parameters should be carefully tuned for accurate results. However, the calibration of parameter values requires further research. This work provides a consistent notation for the most widely used contact models used to model materials. Additionally, key differences, character- istics between the models are highlighted to provide a reference for engineers and researchers to select the best model for their particular application. On the other hand, it gives how to gamble the validation process to make a successful simulation. These techniques will help the novice simulator to remove or minimize the impact of some critical parameters.

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