DEM simulation of impact force exerted by granular flow on rigid structures

The paper presents a DEM model for simulating dry granular avalanche down an incline. Flow pattern and impact forces on rigid obstacles are considered. Results of the simulations are compared with experimental data reported in the literature. The experiments include granular flow along an inclined channel and three-dimensional free surface flow on an inclined chute merging into a horizontal run-out region. The introduction of the rotation constraint allows realistic description of the flow behavior. Parametric studies are carried out to show the effect of model parameters on granular flow, including the run-out distance, deposition pattern, flow pattern, and impact forces against an obstacle.