Numerical modelling of granular materials with spherical discrete particles and the bounded rolling friction model. Application to railway ballast

Published in Computers and Geotechnics, Vol. 85, pp. 220-229, 2017
DOI: 10.1016/j.compgeo.2016.12.034

Abstract

The Discrete Element Method (DEM) was found to be an effective numerical method for the calculation of engineering problems involving granular materials. However, the representation of irregular particles using the DEM is a very challenging issue, leading to different geometrical approaches. This document presents a new insight in the application of one of those simplifications known as rolling friction, which avoids excessive rotation when irregular shaped materials are simulated as spheric particles. This new approach, called the Bounded Rolling Friction model, was applied to reproduce a ballast resistance test.