(70bg) A New Approach for Modeling the Normal Contact within Granular Assemblies through the Discrete Element Method

For the simulation of dense granular systems the Discrete Element Method based on a soft-sphere approach is commonly used. In such simulations collisions between particles take a finite time. The equations of motion are applied for each particle and solved numerically. Therefore models for the forces acting between particles in contact need to be specified. In this paper the focus is set on normal contacts. Based on macroscopic accessible parameters like coefficient of restitution, collision time, force, displacement and displacement rate a wide range of commonly used force schemes are reviewed. Results obtained from these commonly used models are compared to experimental data. Due to obvious limitations extensions are presented. The new extended models are compared to experimental data and their accuracy is discussed.