Interparticle force analysis on the packing of fine ellipsoids

Partide size and shape are two important properties affecting the force structure in particle packings. By means of discrete element method, we investigate the force ratios, force network and force probability distribution in the three-dimensional packing of fine ellipsoids. The simulation results demonstrate that with particle size decreasing, the linear relationship between contact force ratio and bed depth fluctuates more significantly for ellipsoids. The force network for coarse particles demonstrates that the forces can propagate in long chains in the vertical direction for spheres; while they become more complex and zigzag for ellipsoids. Similar to spheres, exponential relationship also exists between porosity and inter-particle force ratio for ellipsoids, but it is also a function of particle shape. The probability distribution of contact force and total (normal) force are examined in details to quantify the force variation in the disordered packings of fine ellipsoidal particles. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.