Efficient computer modelling of the motion of arbitrary grains

A two–dimensional model for computing the motion of individual particles in a system of dry granular media, in which the particles have different shapes, sizes and different material properties is presented. The primary aim of this model is a high degree of computational efficiency, to allow simulations to be performed very rapidly on a modest sequential machine. A selection of simulations is presented to illustrate the potential of the model to simulate realistic behaviour in industrial-like applications. The applications resented here are chute flow, bin flow and vibratory screening. The results show that the model offers a high computational efficiency while mimicking real-world behaviour.