Walls & geometries

Description

This text describes how walls and geometries can be included Aspherix® simulations.

Introduction

In most granular simulations, geometries, walls or other objects are present that interact with the particles. Aspherix® offers multitude of tools for modeling different scenarios.

Detailed description

The simplest way for defining walls is the usage of primitive walls. They can be used to define infinite planes normal to the x, y and z axis or infinitely long cylinders along the said axis. A temperature or a shear velocity can be defined on them, but more complex operations as the evaluation of stresses or wear is not possible.

If this is desired, or if more complex shapes are needed, meshes must be used. They can be included using the mesh command. The used meshes must be in STL format, and after loading them they can be scaled, rotated and/or translated to position them accordingly. A long list of mesh modules that are used to equip meshes with additional properties / functionalities is available.

Some of the functionalities are the following:

  • wear modelling

  • mesh deformation

  • predefined mesh motion

  • 6dof mesh motion

  • conversion to a servo wall

  • heat transfer

  • liquid transfer

  • stress averaging (postprocessing functionality)

Besides using meshes as walls they can also be used as particle source for insertion or for advanced postprocessing (e.g., massflow calculation).

Tutorial cases

Several tutorial cases are available that demonstrate different application possibilities of meshes and mesh modules:

  • usage of meshes: examples/solver/mesh_handling/mesh_definition

  • mesh with surface velocity: examples/solver/basic/conveyor

  • wear modelling: examples/solver/basic/chute_wear

  • mesh deformation: examples/solver/mesh_handling/mesh_deformation

  • predefined mesh motion: examples/solver/mesh_handling/moving_mesh

  • 6dof motion: examples/solver/mesh_handling/6dof_cube

  • 6dof motion / loadresponsive wall: examples/solver/mesh_handling/loadresponsive_hinge

  • mesh as servo wall: examples/solver/mesh_handling/mesh_as_servo_wall

  • force calculation on meshes: examples/solver/mesh_handling/evaluate_mesh_force

Questions?

If any questions remain, contact us.