Granular dynamics simulations of two-dimensional heap formation

Granular dynamics simulations have been carried out of vertical feed two-dimensional heap formation by a freefall method using a more realistic granule interaction law than has been employed in previous studies to permit prolonged contacts between adjacent granules. Stable heaps are found to form only on a geometrically rough base comprised of discrete particles, and heap formation is only weakly sensitive to the value of the contact friction coefficient. The appearance of avalanches, the pressure distribution on the base, and the voidage distribution are sensitive to the analytic form of the elastic component of the normal interaction, with a soft-sphere r(-36) potential giving more realistic behavior than an equivalent Hooke law interaction with the same apparent spring constant. The r(-36) interaction gives more realistic assembly dynamics as it introduces medium range collective motion caused by particle roughness and shape found in typical granular materials, without having to model anisotropic particles.