A discrete element and finite element coupled scheme for particle- structure interaction

Resumo

This work presents a computational framework for the simulation of problems wherein discrete solid
particles may interact with thin flexible structures, such as beams, shells and membranes. The particles are assumed
to be spherical, following a DEM (discrete element method) approach, whereas the flexible structures are described
by large displacements/finite rotations kinematics, leading ultimately to large deformations finite element (FEM)
formulations. The DEM model is implemented within a Fortran program called PSY (Particle System Analysis
Program), and the FEM model within a C++ program called GIRAFFE (Generic Interface Readily Accessible for
Finite Elements). Both are in-house codes that have been extensively developed by two of the authors in the past
years. The models are coupled in a staggered, implicit way embedded within a time-marching integration scheme
wherein the two codes communicate with each other in an efficient, run-time, memory-sharing way that truly
boosts up computational performance. The aim of this work is to present the computational scheme devised to
couple both models, which ultimately led to a unified project called GIPSY. A few possibilities of such robust
DEM-FEM scheme are illustrated by means of numerical examples.