Optimizing Bucket Elevator Performance through a Blend of Discrete Element Method, Response Surface Methodology, and Firefly Algorithm Approaches

This research introduces a novel approach to enhancing bucket elevator design and operation through the integration of discrete element method(DEM)simulation,design of experiments(DOE),and metaheuristic optimization algorithms.Specifically,the study employs the firefly algorithm(FA),a metaheuristic optimization technique,to optimize bucket elevator parameters for maximizing transport mass and mass flow rate discharge of granular materials under specified working conditions.The experimental methodology involves several key steps:screening experiments to identify significant factors affecting bucket elevator operation,central composite design(CCD)experiments to further explore these factors,and response surface methodology(RSM)to create predictive models for transport mass and mass flow rate discharge.The FA algorithm is then applied to optimize these models,and the results are validated through simulation and empirical experiments.The study validates the optimized parameters through simulation and empirical experiments,comparing results with DEM simulation.The outcomes demonstrate the effectiveness of the FA algorithm in identifying optimal bucket parameters,showcasing less than 10%and 15%deviation for transport mass and mass flow rate discharge,respectively,between predicted and actual values.Overall,this research provides insights into the critical factors influencing bucket elevator operation and offers a systematic methodology for optimizing bucket parameters,contributing to more efficient material handling in various industrial applications.

基于CFD-DEM耦合的梯级溜槽的设计与分析

针对传统物料转运过程中溜槽和输送带磨损严重、出口处粉尘浓度过高的问题,建立含臂架的梯级溜槽几何模型,采用基于计算流体力学与离散单元法(CFD-DEM)耦合的数值模拟方法,分析了臂架对转运溜槽的磨损以及对其出口处粉尘排放浓度的影响。仿真结果表明:含臂架的梯级溜槽可以有效控制物料流的速度和方向,降低对溜槽内表面的冲击磨损,降低出口处的粉尘量。

An MPI parallel DEM-IMB-LBM framework for simulating fluid-solid interaction problems

The high-resolution DEM-IMB-LBM model can accurately describe pore-scale fluid-solid interactions,but its potential for use in geotechnical engineering analysis has not been fully unleashed due to its prohibitive computational costs.To overcome this limitation,a message passing interface(MPI)parallel DEM-IMB-LBM framework is proposed aimed at enhancing computation efficiency.This framework utilises a static domain decomposition scheme,with the entire computation domain being decomposed into multiple subdomains according to predefined processors.A detailed parallel strategy is employed for both contact detection and hydrodynamic force calculation.In particular,a particle ID re-numbering scheme is proposed to handle particle transitions across sub-domain interfaces.Two benchmarks are conducted to validate the accuracy and overall performance of the proposed framework.Subsequently,the framework is applied to simulate scenarios involving multi-particle sedimentation and submarine landslides.The numerical examples effectively demonstrate the robustness and applicability of the MPI parallel DEM-IMB-LBM framework.

A particle-resolved heat-particle-fluid coupling model by DEM-IMB-LBM

Multifield coupling is frequently encountered and also an active area of research in geotechnical engineering.In this work,a particle-resolved direct numerical simulation(PR-DNS)technique is extended to simulate particle-fluid interaction problems involving heat transfer at the grain level.In this extended technique,an immersed moving boundary(IMB)scheme is used to couple the discrete element method(DEM)and lattice Boltzmann method(LBM),while a recently proposed Dirichlet-type thermal boundary condition is also adapted to account for heat transfer between fluid phase and solid particles.The resulting DEM-IBM-LBM model is robust to simulate moving curved boundaries with constant temperature in thermal flows.To facilitate the understanding and implementation of this coupled model for non-isothermal problems,a complete list is given for the conversion of relevant physical variables to lattice units.Then,benchmark tests,including a single-particle sedimentation and a two-particle drafting-kissing-tumbling(DKT)simulation with heat transfer,are carried out to validate the accuracy of our coupled technique.To further investigate the role of heat transfer in particle-laden flows,two multiple-particle problems with heat transfer are performed.Numerical examples demonstrate that the proposed coupling model is a promising high-resolution approach for simulating the heat-particle-fluid coupling at the grain level.

Computer vision-aided DEM study on the compaction characteristics of graded subgrade filler considering realistic coarse particle shapes

The compaction quality of subgrade filler strongly affects subgrade settlement.The main objective of this research is to analyze the macro-and micro-mechanical compaction characteristics of subgrade filler based on the real shape of coarse particles.First,an improved Viola-Jones algorithm is employed to establish a digitalized 2D particle database for coarse particle shape evaluation and discrete modeling purposes of subgrade filler.Shape indexes of 2D subgrade filler are then computed and statistically analyzed.Finally,numerical simulations are performed to quantitatively investigate the effects of the aspect ratio(AR)and interparticle friction coefficient(μ)on the macro-and micro-mechanical compaction characteristics of subgrade filler based on the discrete element method(DEM).The results show that with the increasing AR,the coarse particles are narrower,leading to the increasing movement of fine particles during compaction,which indicates that it is difficult for slender coarse particles to inhibit the migration of fine particles.Moreover,the average displacement of particles is strongly influenced by the AR,indicating that their occlusion under power relies on particle shapes.The dis-placement and velocity of fine particles are much greater than those of the coarse particles,which shows that compaction is primarily a migration of fine particles.Under the cyclic load,the interparticle friction coefficientμhas little effect on the internal structure of the sample;under the quasi-static loads,however,the increase inμwill lead to a significant increase in the porosity of the sample.This study could not only provide a novel approach to investigate the compaction mechanism but also establish a new theoretical basis for the evaluation of intelligent subgrade compaction.

Capability of discrete element method to investigate the macro-micro mechanical behaviours of granular soils considering different stress conditions and morphological gene mutation

Discrete element method(DEM)has been widely utilised to model the mechanical behaviours of granular materials.However,with simplified particle morphology or rheology-based rolling resistance models,DEM failed to describe some responses,such as the particle kinematics at the grain-scale and the principal stress ratio against axial strain at the macro-scale.This paper adopts a computed tomography(CT)-based DEM technique,including particle morphology data acquisition from micro-CT(mCT),spherical harmonic-based principal component analysis(SH-PCA)-based particle morphology reconstruction and DEM simulations,to investigate the capability of DEM with realistic particle morphology for modelling granular soils’micro-macro mechanical responses with a consideration of the initial packing state,the morphological gene mutation degree,and the confining stress condition.It is found that DEM with realistic particle morphology can reasonably reproduce granular materials’micro-macro mechanical behaviours,including the deviatoric stressevolumetric straineaxial strain response,critical state behaviour,particle kinematics,and shear band evolution.Meanwhile,the role of multiscale particle morphology in granular soils depends on the initial packing state and the confining stress condition.For the same granular soils,rougher particle surfaces with a denser initial packing state and a higher confining stress condition result in a higher degree of shear strain localisation.

Effect of heterogeneity on mechanical and micro-seismic behaviors of sandstone subjected to multi-level cyclic loading: A discrete element method investigation

In numerical simulation of the mechanical responses and acoustic emission(AE)characteristics of rocks under cyclic loading,the impacts of compositional heterogeneities of mineral grains have barely been considered.This will lead to a poor reproduction of rock’s behaviors in terms of stress-strain relationship and micro-seismic characteristics in numerical simulation.This work aims to analyze and reveal the impact of parameter heterogeneity on the rock’s fatigue and micro-seismic properties based on PFC3D.Two distribution patterns(uniform and Weibull distributions),are implemented to assign four critical parameters(i.e.tensile strength,cohesion,parallel bond stiffness and linear stiffness)for 32 sets of numerical schemes.The results show that the models with high heterogeneity of tensile strength and cohesion can better reproduce the stress-strain relationship as well as the patterns of cumulative AE counts and energy magnitude.The evolution of the proportion of three-level AE events in the laboratory test is consistent with the numerical results when the highly heterogeneous tensile strength and cohesion are distributed.The numerical results can provide practical guidance to the PFC-based modeling of rock heterogeneity when exposed to multi-level cyclic loading and AE monitoring.

Distinct element modelling of fracture plan control in continuum and jointed rock mass in presplitting method of surface mining

Controlled blasting techniques are used to control overbreak and to aid in the stability of the remaining rock formation. Presplitting is one of the most common methods which is used in many open pit mining and surface blast design. The purpose of presplitting is to form a fracture plane across which the radial cracks from the production blast cannot travel. The purpose of this study is to investigate of effect of presplitting on the generation of a smooth wall in continuum and jointed rock mass. The 2D distinct element code was used to simulate the presplitting in a rock slope. The blast load history as a function of time was applied to the inner wall of each blasthole. Important parameters that were considered in the analysis were stress tensor and fracturing pattern. The blast loading magnitude and blasthole spacing and jointing pattern were found to be very significant in the final results.

AN ESTIMATION OF FUZZY RELIABILITY OF DISTINCT ELEMENT METHOD IN PREDICTION OF SURFACE SUBSIDENCE DUE TO COAL MINING

The quantitative evaluation of errors involved in a particular numerical modelling is of prime importance for the effectiveness and reliability of the method. Errors in Distinct Element Modelling are generated mainly through three resources as simplification of physical model, determination of parameters and boundary conditions. A measure of errors which represent the degree of numerical solution 'close to true value' is proposed through fuzzy probability in this paper. The main objective of this paper is to estimate the reliability of Distinct Element Method in rock engineering practice by varying the parameters and boundary conditions. The accumulation laws of standard errors induced by improper determination of parameters and boundary conditions are discussed in delails. Furthermore, numerical experiments are given to illustrate the estimation of fuzzy reliability. Example shows that fuzzy reliability falls between 75%-98% when the relative standard errors of input data is under 10 %.

Borehole stability in naturally fractured rocks with drilling mud intrusion and associated fracture strength weakening:A coupled DFN-DEM approach

Borehole instability in naturally fractured rocks poses significant challenges to drilling.Drilling mud invades the surrounding formations through natural fractures under the difference between the wellbore pressure(P w)and pore pressure(P p)during drilling,which may cause wellbore instability.However,the weakening of fracture strength due to mud intrusion is not considered in most existing borehole stability analyses,which may yield significant errors and misleading predictions.In addition,only limited factors were analyzed,and the fracture distribution was oversimplified.In this paper,the impacts of mud intrusion and associated fracture strength weakening on borehole stability in fractured rocks under both isotropic and anisotropic stress states are investigated using a coupled DEM(distinct element method)and DFN(discrete fracture network)method.It provides estimates of the effect of fracture strength weakening,wellbore pressure,in situ stresses,and sealing efficiency on borehole stability.The results show that mud intrusion and weakening of fracture strength can damage the borehole.This is demonstrated by the large displacement around the borehole,shear displacement on natural fractures,and the generation of fracture at shear limit.Mud intrusion reduces the shear strength of the fracture surface and leads to shear failure,which explains that the increase in mud weight may worsen borehole stability during overbalanced drilling in fractured formations.A higher in situ stress anisotropy exerts a significant influence on the mechanism of shear failure distribution around the wellbore.Moreover,the effect of sealing natural fractures on maintaining borehole stability is verified in this study,and the increase in sealing efficiency reduces the radial invasion distance of drilling mud.This study provides a directly quantitative prediction method of borehole instability in naturally fractured formations,which can consider the discrete fracture network,mud intrusion,and associated weakening of fracture strength.The information provided by the numerical approach(e.g.displacement around the borehole,shear displacement on fracture,and fracture at shear limit)is helpful for managing wellbore stability and designing wellbore-strengthening operations.

基于DEM-SPH流固耦合的冰区船舶快速性预报

船舶在冰区海域中航行会受到冰水环境阻力的影响,是冰区船舶快速性研究中的重要影响因素。为合理分析冰区船舶的快速性能,该文采用基于离散元(discrete element method,DEM)和光滑粒子流体动力学(smoothed particle hydrodynamics,SPH)方法的流固耦合模型模拟船舶冰区航行过程,获得不同航速下的船舶阻力和推进力,进一步计算出螺旋桨的推力、扭矩以及定速航行所需的螺旋桨转速等参数。为研究船体结构、海冰与海水之间的流固耦合作用,文中通过SPH粒子与固定粒子边界相对运动的拟合项直接计算固体与流体之间的相互作用力,建立船体结构、海冰与海水耦合的DEM-SPH模型,并基于该模型分别对船舶在冰区的航行阻力和推进力进行模拟,通过拟合的方式匹配航行阻力和推进力,并考虑尾部流场导致的船体阻力增额,从而预报船舶在特定航速下实现自航所需的螺旋桨转速。此外,文中还模拟了DTMB 5415船模在浮冰区和层冰区中航行的阻力和不同螺旋桨转速下的推力,对船模在不同工况下实现特定航速航行所需的螺旋桨转速进行了预报。计算结果表明:DEM-SPH耦合模型对船-冰、桨-冰作用中的流固耦合过程模拟效果出色,可完整描述船体及尾部伴流场对海冰的拖曳作用;通过文中所述阻力-推力模拟算例及强制力的拟合分析,所形成的基于数值模拟方法的船舶自航下螺旋桨转速预报,可为进一步的试验验证和工程应用推广奠定基础。

Assessing cutter-rock interaction during TBM tunnelling in granite:Large-scale standing rotary cutting tests and 3D DEM simulations

The widespread utilisation of tunnel boring machines(TBMs)in underground construction engineering requires a detailed investigation of the cutter-rock interaction.In this paper,we conduct a series of largescale standing rotary cutting tests on granite in conjunction with high-fidelity numerical simulations based on a particle-type discrete element method(DEM)to explore the effects of key cutting parameters on the TBM cutter performance and the distribution of cutter-rock contact stresses.The assessment results of cutter performance obtained from the cutting tests and numerical simulations reveal similar dependencies on the key cutting parameters.More specifically,the normal and rolling forces exhibit a positive correlation with penetration but are slightly influenced by the cutting radius.In contrast,the side force decreases as the cutting radius increases.Additionally,the side force shows a positive relationship with the penetration for smaller cutting radii but tends to become negative as the cutting radius increases.The cutter's relative effectiveness in rock breaking is significantly impacted by the penetration but shows little dependency on the cutting radius.Consequently,an optimal penetration is identified,leading to a low boreability index and specific energy.A combined Hertz-Weibull function is developed to fit the cutter-rock contact stress distribution obtained in DEM simulations,whereby an improved CSM(Colorado School of Mines)model is proposed by replacing the original monotonic cutting force distribution with this combined Hertz-Weibull model.The proposed model outperforms the original CSM model as demonstrated by a comparison of the estimated cutting forces with those from the tests/simulations.The findings from this work that advance our understanding of TBM cutter performance have important implications for improving the efficiency and reliability of TBM tunnelling in granite.

Distinct element method investigation on mechanical behavior within shear bands in granulates under the Earth and the Moon conditions

This letter mainly aims to investigate the mechanical behavior within shear bands in regolith both under the Earth and the Moon conditions via the distinct element method, in which a novel contact model considering interparticle van der Waals forces and rolling resistance is employed. The results show that for regolith under both conditions the stress paths are almost identical inside and outside the shear bands but void ratio, average pure rotation rate, and strain paths are rather distinct with dilation, particle rotation and the second invariant of strain tensor mainly occurring within the bands. However, the regolith under the Moon condition has higher peak strength and more significant strain localization than those under the Earth condition.

Modelling of URM Walls Retrofitted with Cable: A Comparison Between a Basic Mechanical Model and Distinct Element Method

The Australian love of 'heritage' buildings (most of them are unreinforced masonry (URM)) means that greater attention is required to secure their performance under seismic or impact loading in the future. A research project has been carried out to develop a new, economic and high strength retrofitting technique for masonry structures. A series of experimental testing on URM walls retrofitted with an innovative technique by cable system have been conducted. In this paper, an analytical model which is based on distinct element method (DEM) is developed to simulate the behaviour of retrofitted walls. In DEM, a solid is represented as an assembly of discrete blocks. Joints are modelled as interface between distinct bodies. It is a dynamic process and specially designed to model the behaviour of discontinuities. In order to assist the practising engineers to design this new retrofitted wall system, a simple mechanical model was also developed to predict the strength of the retrofitted walls. The results obtained from this simple mechanical model are compared with those from both experiments and distinct element model.

基于DEM模拟的筒仓卸料过程瞬时拱影响因素分析

为探究大豆在筒仓卸料过程的瞬时拱形成条件及各因素的影响规律,阐明大豆在筒仓内的流变特性,采用离散元方法(DEM),以大豆在筒仓内的卸料过程为对象,通过改变筒仓的半锥角、开口直径、颗粒间摩擦系数、物料密实度等参数,分别进行模拟仿真。结果表明,半锥角为30°,35°,45°时,最大压力值分别为2390.76,2289.53,2540.9 Pa;开口直径为50,60,70 mm时,卸料时间分别为103,62,40 s;摩擦系数设置为0.6,0.7,0.8时,卸料时间分别为61.9,64.9,67.2 s;密实度设置为500,750,1000 mm时,最大质量流量分别为0.44,0.50,0.67 kg/s。研究为更精确地寻求其他散料食品在筒仓卸料过程的流变特性提供参考。

Investigating Earth Reaction to Pull-Out Process of Frictional Rock Bolts Using Distinct Element Method

The reaction of earth to pull-out process of frictional rock bolts was here modeled by the distinct element method (DEM). Ten frictional bolts were prepared;the expanding shells of five bolts included convex edges and the others had the shells with concave bits. The strength of bolts was measured by applying a standard pull-out test;the results confirmed that the strength of shells with convex edges was remarkably more than the strength of other shells. Furthermore, a two-dimensional DEM model of the test was developed by a particle flow code;the obtained results showed that the reaction of rock particles to the contacts occurring between the convex edges and earth was considerably more than those of the concave bits. In the other words, the convex edges transferred the pull-out force into a large area of the surrounded rock, causing these bolts to have the highest resistance against earth movements.

Modeling and Simulation of Particle-Packing Structures and Their Stability Using the Distinct Element Method

A numerical method for simulating the stability of particle-packing structures is presented. The packing structures were modeled on the basis of face-centered cubic (fcc) and body-centered cubic (bcc) structures, and the stability of these structures was investigated using the distinct element method. The interaction between the particles was simplified by considering repulsive, adhesive, and damping forces, and the stability against the gravitational force was simulated. The results under a certain set of parameters showed characteristic deformation when the particles were arranged in an fcc array. Focusing on the local structure, the resulting model was divided into several domains: The bottom base, four top corners, and intermediate domains. The bottom base notably became a body-centered tetragonal (bct) structure, which corresponds to a uniaxially compressed bcc structure. Conversely, the models based on the bcc arrangement were structurally stable, as no specific deformation was observed, and a monotonously compressed bct structure was obtained. Consequently, the bcc arrangement is concluded to be more stable against uniaxial compression, such as the gravitational force, in a particle-packing system.

基于CFD-DEM的双流体喷嘴颗粒物去除特性及效率优化研究

雾化除尘技术是有效防治大气灾害的重要手段,对于城市、矿山等场所的降尘具有重要意义。双流体雾化喷嘴基于其良好的雾化表现,成为雾化除尘领域的热门研究对象。雾化后雾滴与烟尘颗粒的粘附与沉降过程是双流体喷嘴颗粒物去除的重要步骤。因此,揭示雾滴与烟尘颗粒的粘附与沉降特性对于提升双流体喷嘴颗粒物去除效率具有重要意义,需进一步深入研究。本文基于计算流体力学与离散单元耦合法(CFD-DEM),通过3D设计软件和离散元仿真软件ANSYS、EDEM对双流体喷嘴进行耦合数值模拟仿真,研究颗粒之间的相撞粘附与沉降,得到了不同气液压力比、不同雾滴粒径下雾滴颗粒的速度分布规律,并利用正交数值模拟方法对双流体雾化喷嘴颗粒物去除效率进行研究,得到了各运行参数对颗粒物去除效率的影响规律。结果表明,随着气液压力比的增大,雾滴颗粒最大速度呈增大趋势;雾滴颗粒粒径越小,雾滴颗粒最大速度越大,且加速至最大速度的时间越短;通过极差分析可知,运行参数中对颗粒物去除效率影响因素从大到小依次是雾滴粒径B、气液压力比A、烟尘颗粒粒径D、烟尘颗粒速度C,其最优水平组合为A_(3)B_(1)C_(3)D_(1)。该研究可为双流体雾化喷嘴的颗粒物去除特性研究提供一定的参考。

基于浸入边界法的高解析度CFD-DEM流固耦合方法

根据流固耦合问题的普遍性,提出了基于浸入边界法的高解析度计算流体力学-离散元法(CFD-DEM)流固耦合方法.新方法采用基于欧拉框架的计算流体力学方法描述流体的运动,采用基于拉格朗日框架的离散元法描述固体的运动及碰撞,在离散单元的表面布置浸入边界点,解决固体运动过程中与流体间的移动且未知的边界问题.为验证方法的准确性,模拟了圆柱绕流涡激振动、方块驰振两个经典算例,计算结果与数值解吻合度高,说明新方法能够准确描述流固耦合作用.最终,将该方法应用于多块体沉降的模拟,结果表明新方法能够反映流场的复杂变化,有效处理包含大量任意形状离散块体碰撞的流固耦合问题.

基于DEM-MBD联合仿真的车致有砟道床破碎分析

为分析车致有砟道床破碎,建立有砟轨道DEM⁃MBD联合仿真模型,分析列车荷载对道床稳定性的影响及道床内不同位置、不同形状道砟的破碎规律。结果表明:列车荷载作用后,道床横向阻力下降14.82%;枕下深度0.21m内,承轨槽正下方道砟较枕心正下方更易破碎;枕下深度0.12~0.24m内的道砟破碎率最高,为12.5%;砟肩道砟基本未破碎;片状道砟较常规状、针状道砟更易破碎;在运营的有砟轨道线路上,应减少片状道砟含量且重点关注枕下深度0.24m内的道砟破碎情况。