EDEM, a discrete element modeling (DEM) software package for bulk material simulation, has been updated to the latest version, EDEM 2018.2. The update includes new features, enhancements and more capabilities for the GPU solver.
Because they must consider vast quantities of discrete elements—rocks, particles, etc.—DEM simulations are typically quite computationally intensive. To help combat this, EDEM 2018 introduced a feature called Dynamic Domain, which allows users to create large beds of material at no extra computational cost. Dynamic Domain will only solve contacts in the active areas, a huge time saver for applications requiring long beds of material like agricultural and off-road vehicle simulations. In EDEM 2018.2, Dynamic Domain is now available on the GPU solver.
The GPU solver has also been given the ability to run contact models, including the Archard and Relative Wear Model. Users of EDEM will also have more flexibility with contact models, as 2018.2 introduces contact model chaining. Each physical contact model has been modularized so that any combination of models is available to simulate. Forces calculated by the first model are passed on to the second, the second to the third and so on.
EDEM 2018.2 also introduces the Powders Starter Pack, a resource consisting of nine example material models of small particle sizes. With a range of materials, flow properties and compressibility, the Powder Starter Pack is meant as a starting point for users requiring complex powder simulations.
Finally, EDEM 2018.2 is now able to calculate a stress tensor and von Mises stress for particles and export this data in the EDEM Analyst. Analyzing particle stress is useful to ensure consistent processing has been applied to material beds.