A particle center based homogenization strategy for granular assemblies

In this paper; a new homogenization technique for the determination of dynamic and kinematic quantities of representative elementary volumes (REVs) in granular assemblies is presented. Based on the definition of volume averages, expressions for macroscopic stress, couple stress, strain and curvature tensors are derived for an arbitrary REV. Discrete element model simulations of two different test set-ups including cohesionless and cohesive granular assemblies are used as a validation of the proposed homogenization technique. A non-symmetric macroscopic stress tensor, as well as couple stresses are obtained following the proposed procedure, even if a single particle is described as a standard continuum on the microscopic scale.