Performance of a DEM Contact Model for Rounded and Subrounded Granular Materials Under Isotropic Loading

Abstract Calibrating the mechanical behavior of granular materials through the Discrete Element Method (DEM) is crucial for its quantitative multi-scale modelling. Yet, selecting suitable contact model parameters remains challenging due to its complex mechanical response and the time-intensive nature of the calibration process. The present study achieves a good agreement between simulation and experimental behavior by calibrating the rolling resistance linear contact model for sub-rounded Cuxhaven sand and rounded Corundum against experimental results from triaxial, angle of repose, and isotropic compression tests. The macroscopic parameters obtained from this approach align well with experimental data, suggesting that the parameters derived are robust, indicating the effectiveness of the contact model and the calibration process for isotropic conditions.