SUMMARYThe discrete element method (DEM) is developed in this study as a general and robust technique for unified two-dimensional modelling of the mechanical behaviour of solid and particulate materials, including the transition from solid phase to particulate phase. Inter-element parameters (contact stiffnesses and failure criteria) are theoretically established as functions of element size and commonly accepted material parameters including Young's modulus, Poisson's ratio, ultimate tensile strength, and fracture toughness. A main feature of such an approach is that it promises to provide convergence with refinement of a DEM discretization. Regarding contact failure, an energy criterion based on the material's ultimate tensile strength and fracture toughness is developed to limit the maximum contact forces and inter-element relative displacement. This paper also addresses the issue of numerical stability in DEM computations and provides a theoretical method for the determination of a stable time-step. The method developed herein is validated by modelling several test problems having analytic solutions and results show that indeed convergence is obtained. Moreover, a very good agreement with the theoretical results is obtained in both elastic behaviour and fracture. An example application of the method to high-speed penetration of a concrete beam is also given.
Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing this collection of Information. SPONSORING I MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) SPONSORIMONITOR'S ACRONYM(S), DISTRIBUTION /AVAILABILITY STATEMENTUnclassified -Unlimmeted distribution. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES ABSTRACTThis research resulted in the development of the Discrete Element Method (DEM) as a general, robust, and scalable computer technique for unified modeling of the mechanical behavior of solid and particulate materials, including the transition from solid phase to particulate phase. Applications include gross damage of structures due to extreme load events, and high speed penetration of structures, involving materials such as concrete, rock, and novel combinations of these.This computer approach is useful for assessing vulnerability of military and civilian facilities such as nuclear power reactors, transportation facilities, buildings, and so on, and for assessing efficacy of military operations involving such structures.One of the primary accomplishments of this research is the development of interelement potentials for the DEM method such that accurate and convergent results are obtained. This research resulted in the development of the Discrete Element Method (DEM) as a general, robust, and scalable computer technique for unified modeling of the mechanical behavior of solid and particulate materials, including the transition from solid phase to particulate phase. Applications include gross damage of structures due to extreme load events, and high speed penetration of structures, involving materials such as concrete, rock, and novel combinations of these. This computer approach is useful for assessing vulnerability of military and civilian facilities such as nuclear power reactors, transportation facilities, buildings, and so on, and for assessing efficacy of military operations involving such structures. One of the primary accomplishments of this research is the development of interelement potentials for the DEM method such that accurate and convergent results are obtained. SUBJECT
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