Discrete element simulation of mechanical properties of wet granular pile

Abstract

Discrete element method (DEM) simulations for pile-up processes of different particle systems were performed based on linear cohesion contact model. Effects of particle shape and liquid bridge force between wet particles on the piling form were analyzed. The significant central dip profiles of normal force acting on the base surface, normal force and tangential force between particles were predicted. Effects of particle shape and cohesion energy density on the forces on the base surface and inter-particles were described. The results show that particle shape and the liquid bridge force have significant impacts on the piling form. With the increase of the cohesion energy density the angle of repose for each granular pile increases. But the angle of repose of cubical particles is bigger than that of spherical particles under the same condition. Particle shape and the liquid bridge force also significantly affect the change and the maximum amplitude of the forces acting on the base surface and the forces between the particles. The maximum amplitude of the forces increases with the increase of the cohesion energy density, and the value of the maximum force on cubical particles is bigger than that on spherical particles. When the value of cohesion energy density is very large, the mechanical properties of granular piles become more complicated, so that the liquid bridge force has a larger impact on the packing characteristic of particles than the impact on particle shape.