A simulation study of the effects of dynamic variables on the packing of spheres

The packing of uniform spheres has been studied by means of Discrete Elemen t Method with special reference to variables affecting the packing dynamics , with the results analysed in terms of packing density, radial distributio n function (RDF) and coordination number. It is shown that packing density increases with dropping height and restitution coefficient, and decreases w ith deposition intensity and friction coefficient, which is consistent with previous experimental findings. Both RDF and coordination number distribut ion vary with these variables, in line with packing density. For a packing of high density, it has a clear split second peak in its RDF, like that obs erved for the dense random packing. However, as packing density decreases, the first component of the split second peak will gradually vanish, giving an RDF more comparable to those observed in a sequential addition simulatio n. Mean coordination number can be correlated with packing density; it incr eases with dropping height and restitution coefficient, and decreases with deposition intensity and friction coefficient. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B. V. All rights reserved.