https://doi.org/10.1051/epjconf/201714011011
A comparison between DEM and MPM for the modeling of unsteady flow
1 Univ. Grenoble Alpes, 3SR, F-38000, Grenoble, France
2 IMSRN, Montbonnot, F-38330, France
* e-mail: fabio.gracia@3sr-grenoble.fr
Published online: 30 June 2017
In order to provide a comprehensive comparison between two current numerical methods employed in the modeling of rock avalanches, the Discrete Element Method (DEM) [3] and the Material Point Method (MPM) [1] were used to simulate the mass propagation along a 45° plane transitioning to an horizontal plane. When using the DEM, a 3D code using tetrahedral elements was used and the flow was channelized by means of frictionless walls. For the MPM simulations, a 2D code was developed and plane strain simulations were run. Comparisons were made in terms of run-out distance and energy dissipated. Influence of parameters such as initial sample geometry, basal friction coefficient and shape of blocks composing the sample was studied.
© The Authors, published by EDP Sciences, 2017
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
