A discrete element analysis of cohesive granular bulk solid materials

Abstract

In bulk handling applications, such as conveying and storage, understanding the effect cohesion has upon the flow-ability of particulate systems at the macroscopic scale is crucial in increasing the avenues of operation unit design improvements and handling scenarios of industrial operational units. This research provides a better understanding of the role cohesion has on the flow-ability of bulk solids materials through the development, implementation and application of a macroscopic elasto-plastic adhesive (MEPA) contact model within an open source HPC general purpose Discrete Element Method (DEM) computer code. This investigation proposed a DEM history dependent particle-particle MEPA contact model that accounts for both elastic and plastic contact deformations and adhesive attractions. The research tasks are focused in three major areas: 1) DEM applications for the analysis of cohesive bulk solids, 2) modeling stress history ependency of cohesive strength, and 3) the prediction of flow properties in test applications that are comparable to experimental results. The MEPA model applied herein is a three branched non-linear contact model that simulates the virgin compaction loading, unloading/reloading and adhesion behavior of a part iculate solid.