Discrete element method - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Discrete element method - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: "Discrete element method
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The term discrete element method (DEM) is a family of numerical methods 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 theoretical basis of the method was detailed by Williams, Hocking, and Mustoe in 1985 who showed that DEM could be viewed as a generalized finite element method. Its applications to geomechanics problems is described in the book Numerical Modeling in Rock Mechanics, by Pande, G., Beer, G. and Williams, J.R.. Good sources detailing research in the area are to be found in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd International Conferences on Discrete Element Methods. Journal articles reviewing the state of the art have been published by Williams, and Bicanic (see below). A comprehensive treatment of the combined Finite Element-Discrete Element Method is contained in the book The Combined Finite-Discrete Element Method by Munjiza. The method is sometimes called molecular dynamics (MD), even when the particles are not molecules. However, in contrast to molecular dynamics the method can be used to model particles with non-spherical shape. The various branches of the DEM family are the distinct element method proposed by Cundall in 1971, the generalized discrete element method proposed by Hocking, Williams and Mustoe in 1985, the discontinuous deformation analysis (DDA) proposed by Shi in 1988 and the finite-discrete element method proposed by Munjiza and Owen in 2004.
Discrete element methods are processor intensive and this limits either the length of a simulation or the number of particles. Advances in the software are beginning to take advantage of parallel.... more at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discrete_element_method