Particle finite element method applied to granular material flow

Abstract

A numerical model, based on a rate-dependent constitutive model, via a flow formulation, and in the framework of the particle finite element method (PFEM) is proposed. It is settled on the assumption that the powder can be modelled as a continuous medium. The model, provided with the corresponding characterization of the parameters, is able to capture the two fundamental phenomena observed during the granular material flow: 1) the irreversibility of most of the deformation experienced by the material and 2) the energy dissipation of the granular system through the inter-particle friction processes, modelled by the plastic dissipation associated with the material model. Experimental and numerical results have been compared in order to study the viability of the proposed model.