Abstract
Because granular materials are frequently present in nature, in particular in soils, and involved in many industrial processes as building materials, their modelling is an important research topic especially in civil engineering. The discrete numerical simulation, which consists in keeping track of each individual grain and updating each contact between grains, has become a powerful tool in the field. Compared to the classical continuum approach, it allows taking into account micromechanical parameters in the behaviour of a granular material and simulating complex loadings without costly model sophistication. Moreover, the discrete approach is a conceptually adapted tool to treat media implying a small number of grains, which do not permit to define a Representative Elementary Volume. The abilities of discrete numerical simulation are illustrated by examples of analysis carried out using the Distinct Element Method by the Geomechanics team of the INSA of Rennes. These examples, concerning the coupled effect of interparticle stiffness and friction on the stress transmission, the silo flow modelling and the soil-structure interface analysis, show the relevance and the experiment support brought by the discrete approach.
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