Advances in discrete element methods for geomechanics
The discrete element method (DEM) dates back to the pioneering work of Cundall and Strack in 1979. This Special Issue of the Geomechanics and Geoengineering Journal is a collection of papers from the 4th International Conference on DEM (DEM 07) held in Brisbane, Australia, in August 2007. The conference itself was divided into several themes covering the spectrum of DEM applications. This issue focuses upon the mining, geomechanics and geophysics technical theme and highlights the great advances in DEM technology that have emerged over the past 30 years.
Several recent advancements are featured in this special issue. First, with ever increasing computational power, the DEM is being applied to ever larger 3-D rock masses to provide more realistic predictions of in situ rock mass response. Additionally, it is becoming more common for the DEM to be combined with finite element method (FEM) technologies to simulate the transition from continuum to discontinuous material response. Finally, coupling between the DEM and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) capabilities is emerging as a robust technology for prediction of tightly coupled fluid–structural interaction. This issue presents several approaches to achieving this coupling that have advantages for specific applications.
In addition to showcasing the computational evolution of DEM modelling capabilities, this issue presents a wide range of geomechanical applications that are enabled by these technologies. These include rockslides into dams, explosive loading of rock, missile penetration into boulder fields and wave loading of breakwaters. All these applications involve interactions between multiple phenomena, but are dominated by discrete material response in some manner that requires the DEM.
The DEM 07 conference provided an opportunity to establish an international group which will provide support to future DEM conferences. The 5th international conference on DEM will be held in London in 2010. It will be chaired by Professor Ante Munjiza.
Overall, DEM 07 was an excellent conference with strong technical input and plenty of opportunity for interactions between individuals and across different fields of application. There was also good student participation, with financial assistance to students wishing to attend provided by the Centre for Sustainable Resource Processing. Thanks are also due to the other sponsors who supported the conference.
The Guest Editors wish to thank the authors for preparing their manuscripts for publication and the referees for their critical, yet constructive review of the papers.