A 3-DIMENSIONAL DISCRETE ELEMENT MODEL USING ARRAYS OF ELLIPSOIDS

For the purpose of improving computer simulation of granular materials , a three-dimensional discrete element model using random arrays of el astic ellipsoidal particles is developed, Major technical implementati ons relating to the development of this new numerical model (computer code ELLIPSE3D) include the contact detection algorithm based on a geo metric potential concept, elastic contact laws based on Hertzian theor y and Mindlin's solution, geometric representation and kinetic computa tion for ellipsoidal particles, and the explicit finite difference sch eme for 3-D rotational kinematic equations of ellipsoids, Numerical re sults produced by ELLIPSE3D show the important effects of particle sha pe on shear strength, deformation behaviour and fabric statistics of p article arrays, These results demonstrate that using nonspherical part icles in a discrete element model improves the simulations of granular materials and creates the possibility to study the effect of particle shape on engineering properties systematically.