Evolution of a contact force network in a 2D granular assembly: II—the impact of particle plasticity

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of particle plasticity on the mechanical behaviour of a model granular system under plane stress conditions simulated with the Discrete Element Method. A contact model transitioning from nonlinear elasticity to linear plastic deformation is integrated to analyse its effects on a 576-ball-bearing assembly subjected to varying loads. Simulations were conducted using Yade, comparing them with experimental results and traditional elastic models. The findings show that incorporating plastic deformation improves the accuracy of simulated force distributions and the material’s frictional response, particularly under high external loads. These results underscore the need for plasticity-inclusive models in realistic granular simulations, providing valuable insights for practical applications in industries handling high-stress granular systems.