Multiscale modeling of rapid granular flow with a hybrid discrete-continuum method

TL;DR

This paper introduces a hybrid discrete-continuum modeling approach for rapid granular flow that combines the accuracy of discrete models with the efficiency of continuum models, reducing computational costs while maintaining high accuracy.

Contribution

A novel hybrid method couples discrete and continuum models dynamically, improving simulation efficiency without sacrificing accuracy in granular flow analysis.

Findings

Hybrid method achieves near-discrete accuracy

Significantly reduces computational cost

Effective in modeling granular channel flow

Abstract

Both discrete and continuum models have been widely used to study rapid granular flow, discrete model is accurate but computationally expensive, whereas continuum model is computationally efficient but its accuracy is doubtful in many situations. Here we propose a hybrid discrete-continuum method to profit from the merits but discard the drawbacks of both discrete and continuum models. Continuum model is used in the regions where it is valid and discrete model is used in the regions where continuum description fails, they are coupled via dynamical exchange of parameters in the overlap regions. Simulation of granular channel flow demonstrates that the proposed hybrid discrete-continuum method is nearly as accurate as discrete model, with much less computational cost.