A. Munjiza et Krf. Andrews, NBS CONTACT DETECTION ALGORITHM FOR BODIES OF SIMILAR SIZE, International journal for numerical methods in engineering, 43(1), 1998, pp. 131-149
Large-scale discrete element simulations, as well as a whole range of
related problems, involve contact of a large number of separate bodies
. In this context an efficient and robust contact detection algorithm
is necessary. There has been a number of contact detection algorithms
with total detection time (CPU time needed to detect all couples close
to each other) proportional to N ln(N) (where N is the total number o
f separate bodies) reported in recent years. In this work a contact de
tection algorithm with total detection time proportional to N is repor
ted. The algorithm is termed NBS, which stands for no binary search. I
n other words, the proposed algorithm involves no binary search at any
stage. In addition the performance of the algorithm in terms of total
detection time is not influenced by packing density, while memory req
uirements are insignificant. The only limitation of the algorithm is i
ts applicability to the systems comprising bodies of similar size. (C)
1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.