An algorithm for detecting inter-ellipsoid contacts

An inter-ellipsoid contact detection algorithm was developed and used for s imulating the behaviour of assemblies of ellipsoid-shaped particles using t he well-known discrete element method (DEM). The contact algorithm was impl emented in the modified version of the DEM program TRUBAL originally writte n to simulate the behaviour of assemblies of spheres. The modified program was used to perform deviatoric and axisymmetric compression tests on a 1000 prolate spheroid assembly in periodic space. The obtained stress-strain-di lation curves conform with the experimental evidence both qualitatively and quantitatively. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.