Characterization of artificial spherical particles for DEM validation studies--颗粒学报PARTICUOLOGY

Cavarretta, I., O’Sullivan, C., Ibraim, E., Lings, M., Hamlin, S., & Wood, D. M. (2012). Characterization of artificial spherical particles for DEM validation studies. Particuology, 10(2), 209–220. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.partic.2011.10.007

Characterization of artificial spherical particles for DEM validation studies

Ignazio Cavarretta ^a *, Catherine O'Sullivan ^b, Erdin Ibraim ^c, Martin Lings ^c, Simon Hamlin ^c, David Muir Wood ^c

a Division of Civil, Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, UK
b Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
c Department of Civil Engineering, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TR, UK

10.1016/j.partic.2011.10.007

Volume 10, Issue 2, April 2012, Pages 209-220

Received 1 August 2011, Revised 19 October 2011, Accepted 21 October 2011, Available online 17 March 2012.

E-mail: i.cavarretta@surrey.ac.uk; i.cavarretta@gmail.com

Highlights

► Particle scale tests were used to select materials for experimental validation of DEM codes.

► Borosilicate beads were found more spherical than alkalines and with mechanic response closer to sand.

► The role of hardness and roughness on the response of the particles was analyzed within a mechanical model.

Abstract

This paper describes a study in which advanced particle-scale characterization was carried out on spherical particles that can be used in experimental tests to validate discrete element method (DEM) simulations. Two types of particle, alkaline and borosilicate glass beads, made from two different materials, were considered. The particle shape, stiffness, contact friction properties and surface roughness were measured. The influences of hardness and roughness on the mechanical response of the particles were carefully considered. Compared to the alkaline beads, the borosilicate beads were more spherical and more uniform in size, and they exhibited mechanical characteristics closer to natural quartz sand. While only two material types were studied, the work has the broader implication as a methodology for selecting particles suitable for use in DEM studies and the key parameters that should be considered in the selection process are highlighted.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

Particle characterization; Glass beads; DEM

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