The contact dynamics method for granular media

TL;DR

This paper reviews the non-smooth contact dynamics simulation method for dense granular media, highlighting its principles, a detailed 3D algorithm, and discussing artifacts and applicability in research.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive review and detailed description of the non-smooth contact dynamics method for simulating dense granular materials.

Findings

The method effectively models dense granular media.

Identification of artifacts such as spurious sound waves.

Discussion on the applicability of the method in research.

Abstract

In this paper we review the simulation method of the non-smooth contact dynamics. This technique was designed to solve the unilateral and frictional contact problem for a large number of rigid bodies and has proved to be especially valuable in research of dense granular materials during the last decade. We present here the basic principles compared to other methods and the detailed description of a 3D algorithm. We point out an artifact manifesting itself in spurious sound waves and discuss the applicability of the method.