DEM study of mechanical characteristics of multi-spherical and superquadric particles at micro and macro scales

Multi-spheres and Superquadrics are popular approaches for addressing particle shape effect in the Discrete Element Method (DEM). This study focuses on the mechanical characteristics of cubical particles, modeled by the two methods (using EDEM and LIGGGHTS), through conducting a series of numerical case studies at both single particle and bulk levels. In the first part of the study, several testing scenarios, which clarify the impact, interlocking, sliding and tilting characteristics of the particle, are discussed and the respective simulations are carried out. The results emphasize the importance of surface bumpiness and edge sharpness in the single-particle behaviour and are used for informing the bulk response.