An algorithm to produce sphere packings for DEM simulations of geological systems

@inproceedings{RUNKJRM95,
 abstract = { The discrete element method (DEM) is a powerful tools for simulating complex geomechani-
cal behaviors which requires a volumetric discretization of space based on particles. However, the
structural properties of particle assemblies used in DEM simulations directly impact the mechanical
behavior of the simulated medium. It is thus of critical importance to generate particle assemblies
so as to (1) avoid any bias induced by their fabric and (2) conform with the structural character-
istics of the medium under consideration. The main objective of this work is to propose a method
for generating dense particle assemblies in complex geological domains as a first step toward their
geomechanical modeling with the DEM. More precisely, we propose a new geometric algorithm
inspired by the space filling Apollony Fractal which enables to fill arbitrary shapes containing dis-
continuites with spherical particles. The proposed approach ensures the conformity (tangentiality)
of the spheres with the domain boundaries and discontinuites and allows to refine the sphere size
around the structures of interest. The algorithm is able to handle the geometrical and topological
complexity of geological models and is part of the RINGMesh project. },
 author = { Rambure, Hugo AND Bonneau, Francois AND Scholtès, Luc },
 booktitle = { 2018 Ring Meeting },
 publisher = { ASGA },
 title = { An algorithm to produce sphere packings for DEM simulations of geological systems },
 year = { 2018 }
}