Dissipative contact of particles – review and comparison of discrete element contact models

Abstract

The presentation addresses mechanical contact models recently used in the Discrete Element Method (DEM) . The DEM is a numerical method based on the Langrangian approach applied to multi-particle systems where particles are treated as deformable contacting bodies of various sizes, shapes and materials. Physical nature of the DE system is predefined by the contact behaviour of particles during binary collision. Various contact models and numerical procedures are applied in calculations of the contact behaviour. In spite of considerable effort, some gaps in understanding and evaluation of the contact behaviour still remain.