• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제24권4호
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• pp.411-427
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• 2006

The Discrete Element Method, DEM, is increasingly used in fracture studies of non-homogeneous continuous media, such as rock and concrete. A 2D circular rigid DEM formulation, developed to model concrete, has been adopted. A procedure developed to generate aggregate particles with a given aspect ratio and shape is presented. The aggregate particles are modelled with macroparticles formed by a group of circular particles that behave as a rigid body. Uniaxial tensile and compression tests performed with circular and non-circular aggregates, with a given aspect ratio, have shown similar values of fracture toughness when adopting uniform strength and elastic properties for all the contacts. Non-circular aggregate assemblies are shown to have higher fracture toughness when different strength and elastic properties are set for the matrix and for the aggregate/matrix contacts.

• 대한기계학회:학술대회논문집
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• 대한기계학회 2003년도 춘계학술대회
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• pp.1839-1844
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• 2003

In order to provide a tool for designing more efficient methods of mixing fabric, a simplified discrete element computational model was developed for modeling fabric dynamics in a rotating horizontal drum. Because modeling the interactions between actual pieces of fabric is quite complex, a simplified model was developed where individual pieces of bundled fabric are represented by spherical particles. The simulations are used to investigate fabric bundle kinematics, the power required to drive the rotating drum, and the power dissipated through normal and tangential contacts. Parametric studies indicate only fill percentage, drum rotation speed, and friction coefficient play significant roles in the fabric bundle dynamics.

• 한국도로학회논문집
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• 제15권5호
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• pp.21-29
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• 2013

PURPOSES: Simulation of aggregate slump test using equivalent sphere particle in DEM and its validity evaluation against lab aggregate slump test METHODS : In this research, aggregate slump tests are performed and compared with DEM simulation. To utilize spheric particles in YADE, equivalent sphere diameter concept is applied. As verification measures, the volume in slump cone filled with aggregate is used and it is compared with volume in slump cone filled with equivalent sphere particle. Slump height and diameter are also used to evaluate the suggested numerical method with equivalent concept RESULTS : Simulation test results show good agrement with lab test results in terms of loose packing volume, height and diameter of slumped particle clump. CONCLUSIONS : It is concluded that numerical simulation using DEM is applicable to evaluate the effect of aggregate morphological property in loose packing and optimum gradation determination based on the aggregate slump test simulation result.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제16권6호
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• pp.713-730
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• 2003

This paper contains the results of the study on the development of fracture and crack propagation in quasi-brittle materials, such as concrete or rocks, using the Discrete Element Method (DEM). A new discrete element numerical model is proposed as the basis for analyzing the inelastic evolution and growth of cracks up to the point of gross material failure. The model is expected to predict the fracture behavior for the quasi-brittle material structure using the elementary aggregate level, the interaction between aggregate materials, and bond cementation. The algorithms generate normal and shear forces between two interfacing blocks and contains two kinds of contact logic, one for connected blocks and the other one for blocks that are not directly connected. The Mohr-Coulomb theory has been used for the fracture limit. In this algorithm the particles are moving based on the connected block logic until the forces increase up to the fracture limit. After passing the limit, the particles are governed by the discrete block logic. In setting up a discrete polygon element model, two dimensional polygons are used to investigate the response of an assembly of different shapes, sizes, and orientations with blocks subjected to simple applied loads. Several examples involving assemblies of particles are presented to show the behavior of the fracture and the failure process.

• Structural Monitoring and Maintenance
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• 제4권3호
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• pp.195-220
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• 2017

Nowadays, railway system plays a significant role in transportation, conveying cargo, passengers, minerals, grains, and so forth. Railway ballasted track is a conventional railway track as can be seen all over the world. Ballast, located underneath the sleepers, is the most important elements on ballasted track, which has many functions and requires routine maintenance. Ballast needs to be maintained frequently to prevent rail buckling, settlement, misalignment so that ballast has to be modelled accurately. Continuum model was introduced to model granular material and was extended in ballast. However, ballast is a heterogeneous material with highly nonlinear behaviour. Hence, ballast could not be modelled accurately in continuum model due to the discontinuities nature and material degradation of ballast. Discrete element modelling (DEM) is proposed as an alternative approach that provides insight into constitutive model, realistic particle, and contact algorithm between each particle. DEM has been studied in many recent decades. However, there are limitations due to the high computational time and memory consumption, which cause the lack of using in high range. This paper presents a review of recent ballast modelling with benefits and drawbacks. Ballast particles are illustrated either circular, circular crump, spherical, spherical crump, super-quadric, polygonal and polyhedral. Moreover, the gaps and limitations of previous studies are also summarized. The outcome of this study will help the understanding into different ballast modelling and particle. The insight information can be used to improve ballast modelling and monitoring for condition-based track maintenance.

• 한국지반공학회논문집
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• 제23권8호
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• pp.59-68
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• 2007

사질토의 직교 이방 탄성계수를 실험적 방법과 개별 요소법을 이용하여 측정하고 결과를 정량적으로 비교-분석하였다. 실내 시험에서는 미소 응력 제어 반복재하시험과 벤더 엘리먼트의 측정 결과를 조합하여 탄성 특성을 구하였으며, 개별 요소법에서는 실내 시험 방법과 상응하는 반복재하시험을 모사하였다. 축 방향 및 전단방향에 관련된 탄성 특성의 비교 결과는 제한된 조건에서도 개별 요소법이 복잡한 실내 시험 과정을 모사할 수 있음을 보여주었다. 방사 방향 재하시험 결과에서 나타난 두 방법 간 차이의 비교 분석 결과는 개별 요소법이 실내 시험으로 구한 개별 측정치의 정량적 타당성을 확인하는데 충분히 활용될 수 있음을 보여준다.

• 한국도로학회논문집
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• 제15권5호
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• pp.31-45
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• 2013

PURPOSES : Determination of particle packing model variables that can be used for formulation of new DEM based particle packing model by examining existing particle packing models METHODS : Existing particle packing models are thoroughly examined by analytical reformulation and sensitivity analysis in order to set up DEM based new particle packing model and to determine its variables. All model equations considered in this examination are represented with consistent expressions and are compared to each others to find mathematical and conceptual similarity in expressions. RESULTS : From the examination of existing models, it is observed that the models are very similar in their shapes although the derivation of the models may be different. As well, it is observed that variables used in some existing models are comprehensive enough to estimate particle packing but not applicable to DEM simulation. CONCLUSIONS : A set of variables that can be used in DEM based particle packing model is determined.

• 한국지반신소재학회논문집
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• 제17권4호
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• pp.129-139
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• 2018

개별요소법은 입자형태의 재료를 다루는 분야에서 널리 사용되는 방법이다. 특히, 지반에서와 같이 변형이 크게 발생하는 특성을 지닌 재료의 경우에도 유용하게 사용할 수 있는 해석방법 중 하나이다. 본 연구에서는 개별요소법을 사용하여 지반을 생성하고 지반에 TBM 형상을 관입시킴으로써 굴진을 모사하고자 하였다. 해석에 사용된 TBM은 7.73m 직경의 토압식 쉴드 TBM을 사용하였으며 해석을 통해 굴진 성능을 예측할 수 있는 수치해석 모델을 검토하고자 하였다. 대상 모델의 스포크 개수는 8개이며, 커터헤드의 개구율은 약 21.31%이다. 또한, 커터헤드에는 52개 디스크 커터와 167개 커터비트가 굴착 도구로 장착되어 있으며, 커터헤드는 게이지 커터가 장착된 커터헤드 외주면이 굴곡진 세미돔 타입이다. 해석을 통해 커터헤드와 각각의 절삭 도구에 작용하는 반력과 저항 토크를 검토할 수 있었다. 또한 커터헤드 중심에서부터 거리에 따른 비교를 통해 커터헤드의 절삭 도구 위치별로 발생하는 반력과 토크를 검토하였다.

• 지질공학
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• 제29권4호
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• pp.383-391
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• 2019

Bio-grouting based on microbial-induced calcite precipitation (MICP) is recently emerging as a novel and environmentally friendly technique for improvement of coarse-grained ground. To date, the mechanical behaviour of bio-grouted coarse-grained soil with different calcite contents and grain sizes still remains poorly understood. The primary objective of this study is to investigate the influence of calcite content on the mechanical properties of bio-grouted coarse-grained soil with different grain sizes. This is achieved through an integrated study of uniaxial loading experiments of bio-grouted coarse-grained soil, 3D digitization of the grains in conjunction with discrete element modelling (DEM). In the DEM model, aggregates were represented by clump logic based on the 3D morphology digitization of the typical coarse-grained aggregates while the CaCO₃ was represented by small-sized bonded particle model. The computed stress-strain relations and failure patterns of the bio-grouted coarse-grained soil were validated against the measured results. Both experimental and numerical investigation suggest that aggregate sizes and calcite content significantly influence the mechanical behaviour of bio-cemented aggregates. The strength of the bio-grouted coarse-grained soil increases linearly with calcite content, but decreases non-linearly with the increasing particle size for all calcite contents. The experimental-based DEM approach developed in this study also offers an optional avenue for the exploring of micro-mechanisms contributing to the mechanical response of bio-grouted coarse-grained soils.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제80권5호
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• pp.523-538
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• 2021

The mechanical behaviour and stability of coal mining engineering underground is significantly affected by ground water. In this study, nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI) technique was employed to determine the water distribution characteristics in coal specimens during saturation process, based on which the functional rule for water distribution was proposed. Then, using discrete element method (DEM), an innovative numerical modelling method was developed to simulate water-weakening effect on coal behaviour considering moisture content and water distribution. Three water distribution numerical models, namely surface-wetting model, core-wetting model and uniform-wetting model, were established to explore the water distribution influences. The feasibility and validity of the surface-wetting model were further demonstrated by comparing the simulation results with laboratory results. The investigation reveals that coal mechanical properties are affected by both water saturation coefficient and water distribution condition. For all water distribution models, micro-cracks always initiate and nucleate in the water-rich area and thus lead to distinct macro fracture characteristics. With the increase of water saturation coefficient, the failure of coal tends to be less violent with less cracks and ejected fragments. In addition, the core-wetting specimen is more sensitive to water than specimens with other water distribution models.