Fast contact detection method for discrete element method using non-spherical particles

Discrete Element Method (DEM) is widely used to simulate behavior of powder material. It is well-known fact that interactions between particles affect this behavior. Especially, shape of the particle is the most important factor which governs these interactions. There have been reported some non-spherical models to simulate non-spherical powder particles. In the present paper, the author shows issues of these models and proposes a new model which can express arbitrary particle shapes. It is of great importance to develop a fast contact detection method for DEM simulation. A new method for the present particle model is developed and demonstrated in this paper.