Numerical investigation of the angle of repose of monosized spheres - art.no. 021301

This paper presents a numerical study of the angle of repose, a most import ant macroscopic parameter in characterizing granular materials, by means of a modified distinct element method. Emphasis is given to the effect of var iables related to factors such as particle characteristics, material proper ties, and geometrical constraints. The results show that sliding and rollin g frictions are the primary reasons for the formation of a sandpile; partic le size and container thickness significantly influence the angle of repose ; and the angle of repose is not so sensitive to density, Poisson's ratio, damping coefficient, and Young's modulus. Increasing rolling friction coeff icient or sliding friction coefficient increases the angle of repose. Conve rsely, increasing particle size or container thickness decreases the angle of repose. The underlying mechanisms for these effects are discussed in ter ms of particle-particle and particle-wall interactions.