Abstract
A vertex model including real and virtual vertices is presented. Equations for the dynamics are derived and applied in their complete form. Details of the implementation in two dimensions are discussed. It is shown that the mobility and the energy of grain boundaries, and consequently the simulation time, are the usual real quantities. The model is then applied to the simulation of normal grain growth and compared with the Potts model and the Kawasaki et al. vertex models. The present model proved to be successful in reproducing classical laws related to static and dynamic features. In particular, it provides a value of the pre-factor constant in the law describing the evolution of the mean grain size against time.