Characterizing and incorporating particle morphology in Discrete Element Modeling

This paper discusses various strategies for characterizing three-dimensional particle morphology of granular media for use within the Discrete Element Methods (DEM) framework. The method utilized for three-dimensional shape characterization was performed on rounded Michigan Dune sand and more angular Daytona Beach sand. The feasibility of using Optical Microscope images for particle reconstruction, since these are the most inexpensive images to acquire, are validated against results from Optical Tomography and X-ray Tomography methods, which are more accurate. The particles reconstructed using this methodology can be captured in DEM by a clustering technique where several circular particles are clumped together. Numerical simulation of dry pluviation are performed to study the effect of grain shape obtained using the clustering algorithms on soil fabric and as validation of the process. Daytona Beach sand, Michigan Dune sand and glass beads are modeled in DEM and it is observed that soil fabric obtained from dry pluviation is strongly dependent on particle morphology.