ABSTRACT
The enormous wealth of data that is available for output from a DEM simulation presents many alternatives for detailed observation of the particulate system. Management and interpretation of these data is in itself a challenge. Prior to starting a simulation, a DEM analyst therefore must consider not only details relating to the DEM simulation itself but also what data to monitor, how to extract these data in a manageable form, and how then to examine it. Chapter 9 explains how to interpret DEM data within a continuum mechanics framework and outlines approaches to obtaining stress and strain (both average parameters for the system and local values). In Chapter 10 methods to characterize the packing of the system of particles are considered. As argued by Rapaport (2004), DEM simulations (or in Rapaport's case molecular dynamics) simulations are the computational equivalent of an optical microscope; in three dimensions it may be more correct to consider them analogous to micro-computed tomography. DEM simulations oer an advantage over both these physical microscale observation tools because as well as allowing the geometry
\dembookwcrop" | 2011/2/22 i
to be observed, data on the contact forces and internal stresses are also available. This Chapter considers selected approaches used to look inside our particulate systems.
