Modelling deformable boundary by spherical particle for normal contact

The normal contact of the elastic spherical particle with deformable boundary is investigated in terms of the Discrete Element Method (DEM). The particle of the prescribed radius is moving under gravity and the initial velocity. The deformable boundary is treated as rigidly fixed spherical particle with variable elasticity modulus and variable radius. The limit case, approaching the infinite radius presents an elastic half-space, while increasing of the elasticity modulus presents the rigid boundary, respectively. The linear model and the nonlinear Hertz contact model used in the discrete element method are investigated numerically by applying the 5th-order Gear’s predictorcorrector integration scheme. The numerical model is tested by comparing it with analytical solution. The time variations of the particle positions, velocities and accelerations are presented. On the basis of simulation results the limit values of the boundary particle parameters are evaluated and recommendations for the boundary article parameters required in DEM simulation are drown.