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Discrete Element Analysis

A discrete element method (DEM), also called a distinct element method is a numerical method for computing the motion of a large number of particles of micrometre-scale size and above. Today DEM is widely accepted as an effective method of addressing engineering problems in granular and discontinuous materials, especially in granular flows, powder mechanics, and rock mechanics.

The Discrete Element Method(DEM) is a tool ideally-suited to the analysis of bulk material handling systems, as the behavior of each individual particle and each interaction between particles and between particles and system components are simulated. The DEM has been used to identify a large number of material handling issues including:

  • Dust production and dispersion

  • Component/structure loading

  • Component/structure wear and abrasion evaluation

  • Plugging

  • Material degradation

  • Mixing and segregation

  • Power requirements

  • More...

Industry Uses

  • Heavy Industry: Identify regions of severe wear, Analyse performance of systems with moving components such as screw conveyors, gates, or bucket elevators;

  • Mining: Identify common chute flow issues including plugging, off-center belt loading & material loss;

  • Machinery: Characterise wider range of materials including stickiness, Material loss, Off-center belt loading;

  • Manufacturing: Analyse performance of systems with unique performance requirements such as mixers;

  • Packaging: Analyse performance of systems with moving components such as screw conveyors, gates or bucket elevators.


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ZW3D, ZWCAD, ADAMS