Interparticle force analysis on the packing of fine ellipsoids

• Published in: Powder technology 2017-10, Vol.320, p.610-624
• Main Authors: Gan, J.Q., Zhou, Z.Y., Yu, A.B.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Contact force; DEM; Discrete element method; Ellipsoids; Fine ellipsoid; Force distribution; Force network; Packing; Particle shape; Particle size; Porosity; Probability distribution; Simulation; Stress concentration
• ISSN: 0032-5910; 1873-328X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.powtec.2017.07.064

Particle size and shape are two important properties affecting the force structure in particle packings. By means of discrete element method, we investigate the force ratios, force network and force probability distribution in the three-dimensional packing of fine ellipsoids. The simulation results demonstrate that with particle size decreasing, the linear relationship between contact force ratio and bed depth fluctuates more significantly for ellipsoids. The force network for coarse particles demonstrates that the forces can propagate in long chains in the vertical direction for spheres; while they become more complex and zigzag for ellipsoids. Similar to spheres, exponential relationship also exists between porosity and inter-particle force ratio for ellipsoids, but it is also a function of particle shape. The probability distribution of contact force and total (normal) force are examined in details to quantify the force variation in the disordered packings of fine ellipsoidal particles. [Display omitted] •DEM is used to investigate the interparticle forces in fine ellipsoid packings.•The linearity between force ratio and bed depth fluctuates for fine ellipsoids.•Force propagation in the vertical direction is more zigzag for ellipsoids.•Exponential relationship exists between porosity, force ratio and aspect ratio.•Contact force transits from exponential to Gaussian distribution for smaller size.