DEM Modelling of Segregation in Granular Materials: A Review

Segregation control is a challenging yet crucial aspect of bulk material handling processes. The discrete element method (DEM) can offer useful insights into segregation phenomena, provided that reliable models are developed. The main challenge in this regard is finding a good balance between including particle-level details and managing the...

Granular Flow Modeling of Galvanized Steel Scrap Injection into the HIsarna Iron-Making Reactor

Galvanized steel scrap flow and injection into the HIsarna reactor are investigated using discrete element method (DEM). The scrap particle is fed into the reactor through an inclined chute and hits the slag surface where the zinc content is evaporated and solid particles melt. A DEM model is setup and validated using experimental data...

Application of new materials and elements to railway ballasted track for performance improvement

Grabs and Cohesive Bulk Solids: Virtual prototyping using a validated co-simulation

Due to the high demand of iron ore products in the steel industry, they have the largest share in dry bulk trading per year, above coal and grains. Approximately 9000 Cape-size bulk carriers with capacities up to 400 000 tonnes (DWT) transport the annual demand of iron ore to destination ports. Grabs are employed extensively to unload iron ore...

Coupled discrete-continuum approach for railway ballast track and subgrade macro-meso analysis

This paper presents a multi-layer railway ballast track and substructure model, where a coupled discrete and continuous method is used for macro-meso dynamic behaviour analysis under moving wheel loads. In this coupled model, the discrete element method (DEM) is utilised to build the superstructure of the ballast track (i.e. rail, fastener,...

Surface wear reduction of bulk solids handling equipment using bionic design

Bulk solids handling continues to play an important role in a number of industries. One of the issues during bulk solids handling processes is equipment surface wear. Wear results in high economic loss and increases downtime. Current wear reduction methods such as optimizing transfer conditions or using wear-resistant materials, have brought...

Virtual prototyping of grabs: Co-simulations of discrete element and rigid body models

This dissertation has investigated whether a combination of DEM and MBD can be used for a reliable and accurate environment for predicting grab unloading performance. A grab is a type of bulk material handling equipment used for unloading materials such as coal and iron ore from vessel to shore. Both a grab and iron ore pellets have been...

DEM speedup: Stiffness effects on behavior of bulk material

Brazil Nut Effect and CONCRETE: Entering Terra Incognita

This paper presents some evidence of the impact of the Brazil nut effect (BNE) on concrete’s particulate structure on meso-level (aggregate) as well as on micro-level (cement paste). BNE is associated with long-range size segregation in particle mixtures due to vibration in slurry state of concrete, both near boundaries and in bulk. Presented...

Particulate structure and microstructure evolution of concrete investigated by DEM: Part 1: Aggregate and binder packing

Experimental approaches in concrete technology are time-consuming, laborious and thus expensive. Developments in computer facilities render possible nowadays realistically simulating the particulate structure and microstructure of cementitious materials. For that purpose, discrete element methods (DEM) are required because of more correctly...

Mechanics of Granular Materials: Constitutive Behavior and Pattern Transformation

From pharmaceutical to mining or traveling desert dunes to earthquakes, granular materials are at the heart of many industries and natural phenomena. Improving the efficiency of the machines handling them or, constructing safer buildings requires a critical understanding of their behavior. However, this is not a straightforward task as opposed...

The pentration of iron ore pellets: calibrating descrete element parameters using penetration tests