ystemic characterization and evaluation of particle packings as initial sets for discrete elements simulations

Abstract

A methodology that comprises several characterization techniques for particle packings was created. The methodol-ogy techniques take into account factors such as dimension and shape of particles, space occupation, homogeneity, connectivity and isotropy, among others. This classification and integration of several techniques allows to carry out a characterization process that allows to systemically evaluate the particle packings in order to guarantee the quality of the initial meshes in Discrete Element simulations, both in the micro and the macro scales. Several new techniques were created and others that have improvements in the existing ones are presented. Techniques from other disciplines were adapted to be used in the evaluation of particle systems. The techniques of the methodology allow to easily char-acterize media at the level of the micro-scale (continuous geometries – steels, rocks microstructures, etc., and discrete geometries) and the macro-scale. Examples of applications are shown.