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3D level set discrete element method with triaxial case study

We present a three-dimensional level set-based discrete element method that enables simulation of real granular systems. Our method is similar to the classical discrete element method (DEM) in that it enables simulation and analysis of discrete, grain-scale mechanics. However, unlike the spheres used in DEM, level sets are able to inherently capture the complex morphology of real grains, namely, sphericity and roundness, which have been shown to greatly affect the mechanical properties of granular systems. Level sets also have the advantage of being relatively lightweight from a computational cost perspective. To validate our method, we simulate a triaxial test of approximately 2800 grains with level set representations of the same grains, in a one-to-one correspondence, used in an actual triaxial experiment of a Martian-like sand.

Author(s):

Reid Kawamoto    
Caltech
United States

Jose Andrade    
Caltech
United States