Combining tomographic imaging and DEM simulations to investigate the structure of experimental sphere packings

TL;DR

This paper presents a hybrid approach combining X-ray micro tomography and DEM simulations to analyze granular materials, enabling access to otherwise unmeasurable quantities like frictional forces.

Contribution

It introduces a novel virtual-laboratory platform integrating imaging and simulation for detailed granular material analysis.

Findings

Access to frictional forces in granular packings

Enhanced understanding of sphere packing structures

Validation of simulation results with imaging data

Abstract

We combine advanced image reconstruction techniques from computed X-ray micro tomography (XCT) with state-of-the-art discrete element method simulations (DEM) to study granular materials. This "virtual-laboratory" platform allows us to access quantities, such as frictional forces, which would be otherwise experimentally immeasurable.