A mesh-free particle method for continuum modeling of granular flow

TL;DR

This paper introduces a mesh-free particle method for simulating granular flows based on an elasto-viscoplastic continuum model with $$ rheology, validated through numerical experiments including granular column collapse.

Contribution

It develops a novel mesh-free generalized finite difference method for granular flow simulation based on a continuum model with $$ rheology, extending previous mesh-based approaches.

Findings

Method accurately simulates granular column collapse.

Results agree with microscopic models and experimental data.

Mesh-free approach offers flexible and efficient simulation of granular flows.

Abstract

Based on the continuum model for granular media developed in Dunatunga et al. we propose a mesh-free generalized finite difference method for the simulation of granular flows. The model is given by an elasto-viscoplastic model with a yield criterion using the $\mu(I)$ rheology from Jop et al. The numerical procedure is based on a mesh-free particle method with a least squares approximation of the derivatives in the balance equations combined with the numerical algorithm developed in Dunatunga et al. to compute the plastic stresses. The method is numerically tested and verified for several numerical experiments including granular column collapse and rigid body motion in granular materials. For comparison a nonlinear microscopic model from Lacaze et al. is implemented and results are compared to the those obtained from the continuum model for granular column collapse and rigid body coupling to granular flow.