Third M.I.T. Conference on Computational Fluid and Solid Mechanics June 14–17, 2005  

An energy-based polyhedron-to-polyhedron contact model

Y.T. Feng*, K. Han, D.R.J. Owen
Civil and Computational Engineering Centre, School of Engineering, University of Wales Swansea, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK
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ABSTRACT
The current work attempts to develop a non-ambiguous polyhedron/polyhedron contact algorithm within the energy-based theoretical framework, in which all of the contact characteristics, including the normal/tangential contact direction/plane and contact point are defined uniquely, thereby circumventing the numerical difficulties normally associated with the modelling of polyhedron/polyhedron contact.

Keywords:  Discrete element; Normal contact model; Polyhedron/polyhedron contact; Contact energy; Contact plane; Contact point
* Corresponding author. Tel.: +44 1792 295161; Fax: +44 1792 295676; E-mail: y.feng@swansea.ac.uk