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Validation and calibration of soil parameters based on EEPA contact model

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Abstract

The determination of parameters is a key issue in discrete element simulation and controls the accuracy and reliability of the simulation results. In this paper, a sandy loam soil with three water contents is studied and soil particles based on the EEPA model are modelled in three shapes (spheres, columns and Triangular pyramid) to accurately represent the actual soil particle. The sensitivity of the input parameters in the EEPA model is investigated by the Plackett–Burman test. The results show that the coefficient of static friction, coefficient of rolling friction and surface energy between soil particles have a highly significant effect on the angle of repose, and the coefficient of restitution has a significant effect on the angle of repose. The sensitivity parameters are calibrated by the central combination test, and the optimal combination of parameters is obtained. The accuracy of the parameters calibrated is validated by comparing the simulation results of the direct shear test with the actual test results. Therefore, the parameters calibrated satisfy both the flow and mechanical properties of the particles.

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Abbreviations

FEM:

Finite element modelling

CFD:

Computational fluid dynamics

DEM:

Discrete element method

JKR:

Johnson-Kendall-Roberts

EEPA:

Edinburgh elasto-plastic adhesive

f n :

Normal force (N)

f hys :

Hysteresis spring force (N)

f nd :

Normal damping force (N)

u :

Unit normal vector

k 1 :

Loading stiffness (N m−1)

k 2 :

Unloading/reloading stiffness (N m−1)

k adh :

Adhesion stiffness (N m−1)

N:

Slope exponent

\(m*\) :

Equivalent mass (g)

f t :

Tangential force (N)

f ts :

Tangential elastic force (N)

f td :

Tangential damping force (N)

\(k_{{\text{t}}}\) :

Tangential stiffness coefficient

\(f_{{{\text{ct}}}}\) :

Ultimate tangential friction force (N)

C :

Force loop factor

R :

Reading of the force gauge (0.01 mm)

A :

Cross-sectional area of the shear box (mm2)

S :

Shear strength (kPa)

c :

Cohesive strength (kPa)

δ :

Normal overlap (m)

\(\upsilon_{{\text{n}}}\) :

Normal relative velocity (m s−1)

\(\beta_{{\text{n}}}\) :

Normal damping factor

\(\beta_{{\text{t}}}\) :

Tangential damping factor

\(\delta_{{\text{t}}}\) :

Tangential displacement increment (m)

\(\upsilon_{{\text{t}}}\) :

Tangential relative velocity (m s−1)

\(\mu\) :

Coefficient of friction

\(\tau_{{\text{i}}}\) :

Total applied torque (N m)

\(\mu_{{\text{r}}}\) :

Coefficient of rolling friction

\(\tau\) :

Shear stress (kPa)

Φ:

Angle of internal friction (deg)

\(\sigma\) :

Vertical load (kPa)

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 52005307, No.52130001) and Youth Innovation Team Plan (No. 2022KJ225) for the financial support of this work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Agricultural Engineering and Food Science, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, 255000, China

    Long Zhou, Yubin Lan, Wenjun Wang & Yulong Chen

  2. School of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun, 130022, China

    Jianqun Yu, Yang Wang & Kai Sun

  3. HUA LOOKENG Honors College, Changzhou University, Changzhou, 213164, China

    Dongxu Yan

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  1. Long Zhou
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Correspondence to Wenjun Wang.

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Zhou, L., Lan, Y., Yu, J. et al. Validation and calibration of soil parameters based on EEPA contact model. Comp. Part. Mech. 10, 1295–1307 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40571-023-00559-0

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