Investigating the effect of particle shape on energy components in granular media under cyclic loading by discrete element method

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

1 Ph.D. Candidate, Civil Engineering Faculty, Sahand University of Technology (SUT)

2 Civil Engineering Faculty, Sahand University of Technology, Tabriz

3 Academic Staff, Civil Engineering Faculty, Sahand University of Technologyضو

Abstract

Granular dampers at the foundation reduce the vibration of upper stores when the earthquake occurs. Considering that the shape of grains is one of the most important properties of granular materials that affect the mechanical behavior of granular media, therefore, in this study, the effect of particle shape on energy components has been investigated. The numerical model was analyzed by discrete element method by PFC 2D, according to the existing laboratory model and under cyclic loading. After verification, the clump element was used to simulate the grains in the three shapes of a circle representing rounded grains, a square, and a triangle representing angular grains. Finally, the combined models consisting of grains with the mentioned three shapes were used for simulation. The results indicate that in confined conditions, more than 80% of the total energy is stored as elastic strain energy or dissipated due to sliding between the particles. The contribution of kinetic and damping energies is about 10 to 15% of the total energy. Angular square-shaped particles increase the dissipated energy by damping, and triangular-shaped particles increase dissipated energy due to the sliding. In granular systems with the purpose of energy dissipation, it is better to use rounded and angular particles in equal proportions.

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Amirkabir Journal of Civil Engineering

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 04 September 2024

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