Mechanics of Particulate Materials

Mechanics of Particulate Materials

This book is devoted to the Discrete Element Method (DEM) technique, a discontinuum modelling approach that takes into account the fact that granular materials are composed of discrete particles which interact with each other at the microscale level. This numerical simulation technique can be used both for dispersed systems in which the particle-particle interactions are collisional and compact systems of particles with multiple enduring contacts. The book provides an extensive and detailed explanation of the theoretical background of DEM. Contact mechanics theories for elastic, elastic-plastic, adhesive elastic and adhesive elastic-plastic particle-particle interactions are presented. Other contact force models are also discussed, including corrections to some of these models as described in the literature, and important areas of further research are identified. A key issue in DEM simulations is whether or not a code can reliably simulate the simplest of systems, namely the single particle oblique impact with a wall. This is discussed using the output obtained from the contact force models described earlier, which are compared for elastic and inelastic collisions. In addition, further insight is provided for the impact of adhesive particles. The author then moves on to provide the results of selected DEM applications to agglomerate impacts, fluidised beds and quasi-static deformation, demonstrating that the DEM technique can be used (i) to mimic experiments, (ii) explore parameter sweeps, including limiting values, or (iii) identify new, previously unknown, phenomena at the microscale. In the DEM applications the emphasis is on discovering new information that enhances our rational understanding of particle systems, which may be more significant than developing a new continuum model that encompasses all microstructural aspects, which would most likely prove too complicated for practical implementation. The book will be of interest to academic and industrial researchers working in particle technology/process engineering and geomechanics, both experimentalists and theoreticians.

Over half of the products of the chemical and process industries are sold in a particulate form. The range of such products is vast: from agrochemicals to pigments, from detergents to foods, from plastics to pharmaceuticals. However, surveys of the performance of processes designed to produce particulate products have consistently shown inadequate design and poor reliability. `Particle technology' is a new subject facing new challenges. Chemical and process engineering is becoming less concerned with the design of plants to produce generic simple chemicals (which are often single phase fluids) and is now more concerned with speciality `effect' chemicals which may often be in particulate form. Chemical and process engineers are also being recruited in increasing numbers into areas outside their tranditional fields, such as the food industry, pharmaceuticals and the manufacture of a wide variety of consumer products. This book has been written to meet their needs. It provides comprehensive coverage of the technology of particulate solids, in a form which is both accessible and concise enough to be useful to engineering and science students in the final year of an undergraduate degree, and at Master's level. Although it was written with students of chemical engineering in mind, it will also be of use and interest to students of other disciplines. It comprises an account of the fundamentals of teh subject, illustrated by worked examples, and followed by a wide range of selected applications.

Suitable for practicing engineers and engineers in training, this book covers the most important operations involving particulate solids. Through clear explanations of theoretical principles and practical laboratory exercises, the text provides an understanding of the behavior of powders and pulverized systems. It also helps readers develop skills for operating, optimizing, and innovating particle processing technologies and machinery in order to carry out industrial operations. The author explores common bulk solids processing operations, including milling, agglomeration, fluidization, mixing, and solid-fluid separation.

This textbook compiles reports written by about 35 internationally recognized authorities, and covers a range of interests for geotechnical engineers. Topics include: fundamentals for mechanics of granular materials; continuum theory of granular materials; and discrete element approaches.

Mobile particulate systems involve the mechanics, flow and transport properties of mixtures of fluids and solids. These systems are intrinsic to the rheology of emulsions and suspensions, flocculation and aggregation, sedimentation and fluidization, flow of granular media, nucleation and growth of small particles, segregation, attrition and solidification processes. Its diversity means that the area has been studied by a number of different disciplines (e.g. chemical or civil engineering, mechanics, hydrodynamics, geophysics, condensed matter and statistical physics, etc.). Mobile Particulate Systems features general, orientational lectures and advanced topics, covering state of the art approaches to the study of suspensions, fluidized beds, sedimentation and granular flows.

Learn to model your own problems for predicting the properties of polymer-based composites Mechanics of Particle- and Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Nanocomposites: Nanoscale to Continuum Simulations provides readers with a thorough and up-to-date overview of nano, micro, and continuum approaches for the multiscale modeling of polymer-based composites. Covering nanocomposite development, theoretical models, and common simulation methods, the text includes a variety of case studies and scripting tutorials that enable readers to apply and further develop the supplied simulations. The book describes the foundations of molecular dynamics and continuum mechanics methods, guides readers through the basic steps required for multiscale modeling of any material, and correlates the results between the experimental and theoretical work performed. Focused primarily on nanocomposites, the methods covered in the book are applicable to various other materials such as carbon nanotubes, polymers, metals, and ceramics. Throughout the book, readers are introduced to key topics of relevance to nanocomposite materials and structures—supported by journal articles that discuss recent developments in modeling techniques and in the prediction of mechanical and thermal properties. This timely, highly practical resource: Explains the molecular dynamics (MD) simulation procedure for nanofiber and nanoparticle reinforced polymer composites Compares results of experimental and theoretical results from mechanical models at different length scales Covers different types of fibers and matrix materials that constitute composite materials, including glass, boron, carbon, and Kevlar Reviews models that predict the stiffness of short-fiber composites, including the self-consistent model for finite-length fibers, bounding models, and the Halpin-Tsai equation Describes various molecular modeling methods such as Monte Carlo, Brownian dynamics, dissipative particle dynamics, and lattice Boltzmann methods Highlights the potential of nanocomposites for defense and space applications Perfect for materials scientists, materials engineers, polymer scientists, and mechanical engineers, Mechanics of Particle- and Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Nanocomposites is also a must-have reference for computer simulation scientists seeking to improve their understanding of reinforced polymer nanocomposites.

Proceedings of a Symposium sponsored by the Engineering Mechanics Division of ASCE (Committee on Properties of Materials and Committee on Fluid Mechanics) and the Applied Mechanics Division of American Society of Mechanical Engineers) (Committee on Geomechanics) Evanston, IL, June 29-July 2, 1997. Presenting a collection of recent advances in the areas of granular solids and granular fluids, these proceedings examine a variety of theoretical approaches including micromechanical methods, with the consideration of particle interactions, and conventional continuum mechanics methods. Complementary, computational, and experimental techniques that have been developed that study phenomena ranging from particle-level to bulk behavior are also covered.

A unique text providing comprehensive coverage of fundamental particle science, processing and technology. Including quantitative tools, real-world case studies and end-of-chapter problems, it is ideal for students in engineering and applied sciences, as well as for practitioners in a range of industries manufacturing particulate products.