DEM simulation of the compression of crushable sand: does the initial particle shape matter?
Advances in DEM modeling, combined with high-resolution X-ray tomography, opened the way for computer models based on virtual replicas of the particles which preserve nearly all facets of their geometry. This leads to simulation advantages, but also high computational costs. Here we tackle a question stemming from this trend: how accurate should particle models be to ensure accuracy? We address this question for the case of the compression of crushable sand. LS-DEM was used to generate three models of Ottawa sand (exact replicas, ellipsoids, and spheres) from digital images of its grains. Compression-induced crushing was simulated for all sets by tracking evolving size and shape distribution. The results confirm that exact replicas provide the closest match of the measurements. However, intermediate degrees of rendering (e.g. ellipsoids preserving volume and aspect ratio of the real grains) led to satisfactory results only marginally different from those of exact replicas. In conclusion, these findings provide an example of the protocols that may be followed to identify the optimal degree of particle approximation which should be regarded as mandatory to achieve a conscious, sustainable use of computational resources.
- Research Organization:
- Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States); The University of Chicago
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) Program; USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA); USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES). Chemical Sciences, Geosciences & Biosciences Division (CSGB)
- Grant/Contract Number:
- 89233218CNA000001; SC0020112
- OSTI ID:
- 2478637
- Report Number(s):
- LA-UR--24-23191
- Journal Information:
- Geotechnique Letters, Journal Name: Geotechnique Letters Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 14; ISSN 2045-2543
- Publisher:
- Institution of Civil EngineersCopyright Statement
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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