The Material Modeler Guide
Material Modeler provides the tools needed to define all components of the DEM Material Model and saves the information to a database to allow materials to be used in EDEM simulations.
A bulk material is modeled at the particle-scale in a DEM simulation. The collective information defining the material is called the DEM Material Model and comprises the particle material properties such as specific density, the particle shapes and sizes and the particle-particle and particle-equipment contact dynamic models. The EDEM Material Modeler Add-on Module has two parts; the Particle Shape Editor and the Material Model Editor.
The Particle Shape Editor is a tool for defining the model particles used in the DEM Material Model that can comprise both spherical and non-spherical particles. EDEM employs the highly versatile multi-sphere Method for representing non-spherical particles. With the Particle Shape Editor, you can create complex multi-element model particles from simple spherical elements. Model particles can be based on CAD templates of real particles imported to provide realistic particle visualizations as well as automated calculation of the particle inertial properties. Model particles can be saved to a database to allow common models to be shared between EDEM simulations.
The Material Model Editor is used to define the EDEM Material Model. It provides an easy-to-use interface for specification of the distribution of model particles and size distribution, selection of the desired contact models, definition of the contact model parameter values such as Coefficient of Restitution, static and rolling friction. The EDEM Material Modeler includes a range of contact models including Hertz-Mindlin (no slip), Linear Spring, Linear Cohesion (V2), JKR cohesion, Bonded Models and Surface Wear Models.
Once the DEM Material Models have been defined, you can save these models to a database. By building-the know-how required to define a fit-for-purpose material into the DEM Material Model, even those who are not experts in DEM are able to use the models to gain the valuable insight into the performance of bulk materials handling equipment.
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