Voxelization based packing analysis for discrete element simulations of non-spherical particles

TL;DR

This paper introduces a voxelization-based post-processing algorithm to analyze the packing behavior of non-spherical particles in granular assemblies, enabling localized analysis of packing features and effects.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel voxelization method for detailed local packing analysis of non-spherical particles in DEM simulations, capturing geometric and confined influences.

Findings

Effective analysis of wall effects and stacking behavior.

Applicable to various non-spherical particle shapes.

Provides detailed insights into local packing phenomena.

Abstract

A voxelization based post-processing algorithm is proposed to analyze the packing of non-spherical particle assemblies simulated using the Discrete Element Method. Voxelization of the particle data allows for isolating the geometric features of the granular assembly in various spatial sub-domains (2D surface or 3D region) and investigate the localized packing behaviour. Analyzing the local packing behaviour enables determining con-fined influences such as the wall-effect, stacking behaviour, local expansion/contraction and localized loading. The efficacy of the proposed technique to analyze practical granular assemblies is demonstrated through the packing analysis of different assemblies of superquadric cubes, superquadric ellipsoidals, and multi-spherical coffee beans.