C. Xu¹, X. Jia², R. A. Williams², E. H. Stitt³, M. Nijemeisland³, S. El-Bachir⁴, A. J. Sederman⁴, L. F. Gladden⁴

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.23, No.2, pp. 117-126, 2008, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2008.023.117

Abstract Existing theories and computer models for packed columns are either incapable of handling complex pellet shapes or based on over-simplified packing geometry. A digital packing algorithm, namely DigiPac, has recently been developed to fill the gap. It is capable of packing of particles of any shapes and sizes in a container of arbitrary geometry, and is a first step towards a practical computational tool for reliable predictions of packed column properties based on the actual pellet shapes. DigiPac can operate in two modes: a Monte Carlo mode in which particles undergo directional diffusive motions; and a Discrete Element mode where… More >

Xiang-YangLi¹, Shang-Hua Teng², Peng-Jun Wan³

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.2, No.1, pp. 97-116, 2001, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2001.002.097

Abstract To conduct numerical simulations by finite element methods, we often need to generate a high quality mesh, yet with a smaller number of elements. Moreover, the size of each of the elements in the mesh should be approximately equal to a given size requirement. Li et al. recently proposed a new method, named biting, which combines the strengths of advancing front and sphere packing. It generates high quality meshes with a theoretical guarantee. In this paper, we show that biting squares instead of circles not only generates high quality meshes but also has the following advantages. It is easier to… More >

S.X. Li¹, L. Zhao¹, Y.W. Liu²

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.7, No.2, pp. 109-118, 2008, DOI:10.3970/cmc.2008.007.109

Abstract Most simulations of random sphere packing concern a cubic or cylindric container with periodic boundary, containers of other shapes are rarely studied. In this paper, a new relaxation algorithm with pre-expanding procedure for random sphere packing in an arbitrarily shaped container is presented. Boundaries of the container are simulated by overlapping spheres which covers the boundary surface of the container. We find 0.4~0.6 of the overlap rate is a proper value for boundary spheres. The algorithm begins with a random distribution of small internal spheres. Then the expansion and relaxation procedures are performed alternately to increase the packing density. The… More >

Wenxiang Xu^1,2,3,4, Ganquan Yang⁵, Peng Lan², Huaifa Ma¹

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.52, No.1, pp. 25-40, 2016, DOI:10.3970/cmc.2016.052.025

Abstract Understanding the excluded volume of anisotropic particle is of great importance in the evaluation of continuum percolation and random packing behaviors of soft/hard particle systems in heterogeneous disordered media. In this work, we obtain the excluded volumes of several anisotropic convex particles including prolate spheroids, oblate spheroids, spherocylinders, and Platonic particles, using theoretical and numerical approaches. According to the second virial coefficient, we first present a theoretical scheme for determining the excluded volumes of anisotropic particles. Also, the mean tangent diameters of anisotropic convex particles are formulated by the quantitative stereology. Subsequently, Monte Carlo simulations are demonstrated to numerically evaluate… More >

J. Zidek¹ , J. Kucera¹, J. Jancar¹

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.16, No.1, pp. 51-74, 2010, DOI:10.3970/cmc.2010.016.051

Abstract It has been shown that in particulate filled composites, a cross-property relationship exists between various transport properties (e.g., electrical conductivity, mechanical reinforcement, gas permeation) of a macroscale composite. Thus, knowledge of the effective mechanical properties of a composite immediately places bounds on its electrical conductivity or gas permeation behavior. Using these bounds allows us to predict the phase dispersion state that optimizes one or multiple properties of the composite and, thus, the knowledge of how spatial arrangement of filler particles at their given content affects physical properties of the composite can be valuable. In this paper, a new numerical model… More >