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Vasileios Angelidakis

Numerical analysis of granular media.

Supervisors

Project description

My doctoral research project involves the numerical analysis of granular media. I am employing the Discrete Element Method and non-spherical particles.

The Discrete Element Method was originally developed to investigate the behaviour of geomaterials. It is now used in several industries such as process engineering, mining and packaging of pills, to name a few. Most 3D DEM software packages still use spherical particles. But in reality, particles are everything but spheres.

Recently, a new class of algorithms based on linear programming has been introduced for non-spherical convex particles. Known as ‘potential particles’, they are a combination of flat surfaces with either sharp or smooth edges. These algorithms have been successful in solving a variety of rock mechanics problems. In this type of problem, blocks tend to be ‘sharp’ polyhedra.

The challenge still ahead is to use these algorithms for:

  • geomaterials such as ballast, sands and silts
  • the irregular particles generated by mining and process engineering

I am developing a methodology to determine the mathematical description of the potential particle that best fits particle shapes from available digital imaging data. I will identify the required fit to replicate the main mechanical properties at the scale level of a bulk assembly. I will run numerical DEM analyses on reconstructed granular samples to assess the bulk properties.

I will couple the methodology to state-of-the-art image recognition techniques currently used to scan particles. This will provide a seamless tool from image recognition to DEM simulations.

Publications

Qualifications

  • Diploma (MEng) in Civil Engineering (5-year degree). National Technical University of Athens, Greece (2014)
  • MSc in the Analysis and Design of Structures. National Technical University of Athens, Greece (2016)

 

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