Calculating rotational motion in discrete element modelling of arbitrary shaped model objects

Application of the discrete element method (DEM) to real scale engineering problems involving three-dimensional modelling of large, non-spherical part icles must consider the inertia tensor and temporal change in the orientati on of the particles when calculating the rotational motion. This factor has commonly been neglected in discrete element modelling although it will sig nificantly influence the dynamic behaviour of non-spherical particles. In t his paper two methods, vector transformation and tensor transformation, for calculation of the rotational motion of particles in response to applied m oments ave presented. The methods consider the inertia tensor and the local object frame of arbitrary shaped Particles and suggest solutions for the n on-linear Euler equations for calculation of their rotational motion. They are discussed with respect to implementation into a discrete element code a nd assessed in terms of their accuracy and computational efficiency.