Force Chain Evolution and Force Characteristics of Shearing Granular Media in Taylor-Couette Geometry by DEM

Abstract

This article simulates the Taylor-Couette shear model by using the discrete element method to study mechanical properties and force chain changes in the granular flow in friction pair clearance. The mechanical properties and force chain structures of a granular system can be studied by changing the granular friction coefficient, granule size, fractional area, inner rotational speed, and other causes. Shear, normal, and unbalanced forces increase with increasing friction coefficient. A higher friction coefficient corresponds to a higher average contact forces. When the surface of the inner ring is rougher, the normal and unbalanced forces are smaller and the shear force is higher. This condition greatly influences the internal force chain structure of the granular media.

KEY WORDS:

• Granular Flow
• Force Chain
• Taylor–Couette
• Discrete Element Method