The granular element method: From tomographic data to discrete computations
Keng-Wit Lim (Caltech), Jose Andrade (Caltech)
Multiscale Mechanics of Particulate Media
Mon 10:45 - 12:15
Sayles 105
The Granular Element Method (GEM) is the next-generation discrete mechanics simulation technique that uses Non-Uniform Rational Basis Splines (NURBS) for capturing particle morphology and inferring grain-scale kinematics and forces at computer-tomographic resolutions. We present developments of GEM in the following areas: seamless integration of volumetric data from XRCT and discrete element models, preliminary simulation results and comparison with kinematics data from X-Ray computed tomography and new algorithmic developments. We shall also give an outlook on the future of GEM for large-scale high-fidelity simulations and discuss its role in opening new avenues in multiscale modeling and materials characterization.