(356b) DEM Simulations of Flexible and Rigid Fibers for Describing Bulk Flow Behavior

Novel Discrete Element Method (DEM) simulations have enabled an investigation of the relationship between particle-level and bulk flow behavior for flexible and rigid fibers. Particle shape greatly affects the particle-phase stress; this is related to the degree of particle alignment induced by shearing. Particle shape also affects the collisional dissipation rate that increases linearly with increasing fiber aspect ratio. Flexible fibers introduce additional complexities such as fiber bending deformation that is characterized by the fiber bending stiffness and the fiber damping coefficient. The effects of individual fiber properties on bulk flow behavior and particle-phase stress have also been explored.