Establishing predictive capabilities of DEM-Verification and validation for complex granular processes

Abstract

The discrete element method has been increasingly used to model granular processes of increasing complexity, from dry to wet to multiphase systems. Whilst DEM has been shown to produce qualitatively many of the complex phenomena observed in these complex granular systems, establishing the extent of the predictive capability of DEM model is still in its infancy. This summary paper discusses the need to develop verification and validation methodologies with regard to DEM computations. It proposes the need to first verify that a DEM code with its implemented mathematical model and computation algorithm is accurately reproducing the conceptual model and its solution, before validating to determine the degree to which the computational model accurately represent the physics being modelled. It also discusses the associated issue of data analysis to extract the parameters of interest from DEM particle scale data. © 2013 AIP Publishing LLC.