Cylindrical Particles Model Reference

The Cylindrical Particles model allows you to use cylindrical particles of specified size and proportion rather than particles composed of combinations of spheres.

Using cylindrical particles to model tablets, pellets, and similar particle shapes can be simpler, computationally less expensive, and more accurate than using combinations of spheres, depending on the individual case.

Provided By [phase] > Models > Particle Shape
Example Node Path Continua > Physics 1 > Models > Lagrangian Multiphase > Lagrangian Phases > [phase] > Models > Cylindrical Particles
Requires In [physics continuum] > Models:
  • Optional Models: Discrete Element Method (DEM)

In [phase] > Models:

  • Particle Type: DEM Particles
Properties
Moment of Inertia Scaling

Provides a scaling factor for each axis of the moment of inertia of the particle. This can be used to simulate effects such as uneven distribution of mass within the particle, or the dynamical response of a non-spherical particle. The scaling factor has an allowed range on each axis of 1E-2 to 1E5. The default value is [1.0, 1.0, 1.0].

Activates Region Inputs Physics Conditions > Energy Source Option

Physics Values > Axis and Motion Specification

Injector Inputs See Cylindrical Particles Injector Inputs.
Field Functions
  • Cylinder Height
  • Cylinder Radius
  • Particle Projected Area
  • Particle Projected Length

See Discrete Element Method Field Functions Reference.

Cylindrical Particles Injector Inputs

The Cylindrical Particles model activates the following injector condition:
Orientation Specification
Sets the initial orientation of the particle as it is injected.
The Cylindrical Particles model activates the following injector values:
Cylinder Height
Sets the cylinder heights using a selection of methods.
Cylinder Height/Radius Ratio
Sets the ratio of cylinder height to radius using a selection of methods.
Cylinder Radius
Sets the cylinder radii using a selection of methods.
Particle Orientation
Sets the initial orientation of the particle as it is injected.

The Cylindrical Particles model is incompatible with the Random Injector using the Maximum Packing option.

Contact Force Modeling for Cylindrical Particles

Use Linear Spring to model contact force, and set the Spring Stiffness methods to Constant. The default value for stiffness, 100000.0 N/m, works for most situations. However, for cylinders with very small aspect ratios, use higher values to avoid large overlap between cylinders, especially cylinders penetrating the boundary.

Compatibility with Other Models

The following models are incompatible with the Cylindrical Particles model. If any of them are selected when you select Cylindrical Particles, Simcenter STAR-CCM+ de-selects the incompatible models and posts the message Removing incompatable model(s) in [Phase Interaction].

  • Artificial Viscosity
  • Hertz Mindlin
  • Linear Cohesion
  • Linear Spring, with either Normal Spring Stiffness Method or Tangential Spring Stiffness Method set to Particle Material Based.
  • Parallel Bond
  • Rolling Resistance, using the Displacement Damping or Constant Torque method
  • Walton Braun