High fidelity, discrete element method simulation of magnetorheological fluids using accurate particle size distributions in LIGGGHTS extended with mutual dipole method

Abstract

We simulate magnetorheological fluids (MRF) using open source LIGGGHTS soft sphere discrete element method code, extended by us to include a mutual dipole magnetic model. Our simulations take advantage of the many pair forces available in the LIGGGHTS framework, including SJKR cohesion, friction, and rolling resistance. In addition, we have included an uncoupled, Couette flow background carrier fluid. The simulated particles in this work are polydisperse, with distributions made to match the distributions used to produce magnetorheological fluids in literature, increasing the fidelity of the simulations. Using the accurate particle size distributions, high heritage contact models, and an uncoupled fluid model, we are able to match experimental MRF yield stress results more closely than with monodisperse simulations.