Discrete Element Methods


Book Description

Proceedings of the Third International Conference on Discrete Element Methods, held in Santa Fe, New Mexico on September 23-25, 2002. This Geotechnical Special Publication contains 72 technical papers on discrete element methods (DEM), a suite of numerical techniques developed to model granular materials, rock, and other discontinua at the grain scale. Topics include: DEM formulation and implementation approaches, coupled methods, experimental validation, and techniques, including three-dimensional particle representations, efficient contact detection algorithms, particle packing schemes, and code design. Coupled methods include approaches to linking solid continuum and fluid models with DEM to simulate multiscale and multiphase phenomena. Applications include fundamental investigations of granular mechanics; micromechanical studies of powder, soil, and rock behavior; and large-scale modeling of geotechnical, material processing, mining, and petroleum engineering problems.




Gas-Particle and Granular Flow Systems


Book Description

Gas-Particle and Granular Flow Systems: Coupled Numerical Methods and Applications breaks down complexities, details numerical methods (including basic theory, modeling and techniques in programming), and provides researchers with an introduction and starting point to each of the disciplines involved. As the modeling of gas-particle and granular flow systems is an emerging interdisciplinary field of study involving mathematics, numerical methods, computational science, and mechanical, chemical and nuclear engineering, this book provides an ideal resource for new researchers who are often intimidated by the complexities of fluid-particle, particle-particle, and particle-wall interactions in many disciplines.




The Combined Finite-Discrete Element Method


Book Description

The combined finite discrete element method is a relatively new computational tool aimed at problems involving static and / or dynamic behaviour of systems involving a large number of solid deformable bodies. Such problems include fragmentation using explosives (e.g rock blasting), impacts, demolition (collapsing buildings), blast loads, digging and loading processes, and powder technology. The combined finite-discrete element method - a natural extension of both discrete and finite element methods - allows researchers to model problems involving the deformability of either one solid body, a large number of bodies, or a solid body which fragments (e.g. in rock blasting applications a more or less intact rock mass is transformed into a pile of solid rock fragments of different sizes, which interact with each other). The topic is gaining in importance, and is at the forefront of some of the current efforts in computational modeling of the failure of solids. * Accompanying source codes plus input and output files available on the Internet * Important applications such as mining engineering, rock blasting and petroleum engineering * Includes practical examples of applications areas Essential reading for postgraduates, researchers and software engineers working in mechanical engineering.




Fundamentals of Discrete Element Methods for Rock Engineering: Theory and Applications


Book Description

This book presents some fundamental concepts behind the basic theories and tools of discrete element methods (DEM), its historical development, and its wide scope of applications in geology, geophysics and rock engineering. Unlike almost all books available on the general subject of DEM, this book includes coverage of both explicit and implicit DEM approaches, namely the Distinct Element Methods and Discontinuous Deformation Analysis (DDA) for both rigid and deformable blocks and particle systems, and also the Discrete Fracture Network (DFN) approach for fluid flow and solute transport simulations. The latter is actually also a discrete approach of importance for rock mechanics and rock engineering. In addition, brief introductions to some alternative approaches are also provided, such as percolation theory and Cosserat micromechanics equivalence to particle systems, which often appear hand-in-hand with the DEM in the literature. Fundamentals of the particle mechanics approach using DEM for granular media is also presented.· Presents the fundamental concepts of the discrete models for fractured rocks, including constitutive models of rock fractures and rock masses for stress, deformation and fluid flow· Provides a comprehensive presentation on discrete element methods, including distinct elements, discontinuous deformation analysis, discrete fracture networks, particle mechanics and Cosserat representation of granular media· Features constitutive models of rock fractures and fracture system characterization methods detaiing their significant impacts on the performance and uncertainty of the DEM models




The Finite Element Method for Solid and Structural Mechanics


Book Description

This is the key text and reference for engineers, researchers and senior students dealing with the analysis and modelling of structures – from large civil engineering projects such as dams, to aircraft structures, through to small engineered components. Covering small and large deformation behaviour of solids and structures, it is an essential book for engineers and mathematicians. The new edition is a complete solids and structures text and reference in its own right and forms part of the world-renowned Finite Element Method series by Zienkiewicz and Taylor. New material in this edition includes separate coverage of solid continua and structural theories of rods, plates and shells; extended coverage of plasticity (isotropic and anisotropic); node-to-surface and 'mortar' method treatments; problems involving solids and rigid and pseudo-rigid bodies; and multi-scale modelling. - Dedicated coverage of solid and structural mechanics by world-renowned authors, Zienkiewicz and Taylor - New material including separate coverage of solid continua and structural theories of rods, plates and shells; extended coverage for small and finite deformation; elastic and inelastic material constitution; contact modelling; problems involving solids, rigid and discrete elements; and multi-scale modelling




Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Discrete Element Methods


Book Description

This book presents the latest advances in Discrete Element Methods (DEM) and technology. It is the proceeding of 7th International Conference on DEM which was held at Dalian University of Technology on August 1 - 4, 2016. The subject of this book are the DEM and related computational techniques such as DDA, FEM/DEM, molecular dynamics, SPH, Meshless methods, etc., which are the main computational methods for modeling discontinua. In comparison to continua which have been already studied for a long time, the research of discontinua is relatively new, but increases dramatically in recent years and has already become an important field. This book will benefit researchers and scientists from the academic fields of physics, engineering and applied mathematics, as well as from industry and national laboratories who are interested in the DEM.




The Cell Method


Book Description

Finite Element, Boundary Element, Finite Volume, and Finite Difference Analysis are all commonly used in nearly all engineering disciplines to simplify complex problems of geometry and change. But they all tend to oversimplify. The Cell Method is a more recent computational approach developed initially for problems in solid mechanics and electro-magnetic field analysis. It is a more algebraic approach, and it offers a more accurate representation of geometric and topological features. This will be perhaps the first book-length work in the world that explicates the Cell Method and that shows how useful it can be for practical problem solving, especially in problems in solid mechanics.




Safety, Reliability, Risk and Life-Cycle Performance of Structures and Infrastructures


Book Description

Safety, Reliability, Risk and Life-Cycle Performance of Structures and Infrastructures contains the plenary lectures and papers presented at the 11th International Conference on STRUCTURAL SAFETY AND RELIABILITY (ICOSSAR2013, New York, NY, USA, 16-20 June 2013), and covers major aspects of safety, reliability, risk and life-cycle performance of str




Comprehensive Structural Integrity


Book Description

The aim of this major reference work is to provide a first point of entry to the literature for the researchers in any field relating to structural integrity in the form of a definitive research/reference tool which links the various sub-disciplines that comprise the whole of structural integrity. Special emphasis will be given to the interaction between mechanics and materials and structural integrity applications. Because of the interdisciplinary and applied nature of the work, it will be of interest to mechanical engineers and materials scientists from both academic and industrial backgrounds including bioengineering, interface engineering and nanotechnology. The scope of this work encompasses, but is not restricted to: fracture mechanics, fatigue, creep, materials, dynamics, environmental degradation, numerical methods, failure mechanisms and damage mechanics, interfacial fracture and nano-technology, structural analysis, surface behaviour and heart valves. The structures under consideration include: pressure vessels and piping, off-shore structures, gas installations and pipelines, chemical plants, aircraft, railways, bridges, plates and shells, electronic circuits, interfaces, nanotechnology, artificial organs, biomaterial prostheses, cast structures, mining... and more. Case studies will form an integral part of the work.




Particle Technology and Engineering


Book Description

Particle Technology and Engineering presents the basic knowledge and fundamental concepts that are needed by engineers dealing with particles and powders. The book provides a comprehensive reference and introduction to the topic, ranging from single particle characterization to bulk powder properties, from particle-particle interaction to particle-fluid interaction, from fundamental mechanics to advanced computational mechanics for particle and powder systems. The content focuses on fundamental concepts, mechanistic analysis and computational approaches. The first six chapters present basic information on properties of single particles and powder systems and their characterisation (covering the fundamental characteristics of bulk solids (powders) and building an understanding of density, surface area, porosity, and flow), as well as particle-fluid interactions, gas-solid and liquid-solid systems, with applications in fluidization and pneumatic conveying. The last four chapters have an emphasis on the mechanics of particle and powder systems, including the mechanical behaviour of powder systems during storage and flow, contact mechanics of particles, discrete element methods for modelling particle systems, and finite element methods for analysing powder systems. This thorough guide is beneficial to undergraduates in chemical and other types of engineering, to chemical and process engineers in industry, and early stage researchers. It also provides a reference to experienced researchers on mathematical and mechanistic analysis of particulate systems, and on advanced computational methods. - Provides a simple introduction to core topics in particle technology: characterisation of particles and powders: interaction between particles, gases and liquids; and some useful examples of gas-solid and liquid-solid systems - Introduces the principles and applications of two useful computational approaches: discrete element modelling and finite element modelling - Enables engineers to build their knowledge and skills and to enhance their mechanistic understanding of particulate systems