Discrete Element Modelling Overview

Discrete Element Modelling (DEM)

Numerical method for computing the motion of a large number of particles like molecules or grains of sand

The term discrete element method (DEM) is a numerical method for computing the motion of a large number of particles like molecules or grains of sand. The method was originally applied by Cundall in 1971 to problems in rock mechanics.

The discrete element method takes into account the interaction between particles as well as the interaction between particles and geometry. The geometry can be that of a silo, hopper or chute for instance. The motion of the particles can also be influenced by body forces like fluids interacting on the particles or due to magnetic fields.

By modeling on particulate level the overall bulk behavior of the granular medium can be predicted. This has the advantage in new designs where the bounding geometry is too complex to make use of the traditional hand calculation methods.

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