Simulation of powder behavior in applied magnetic field by coupled FEM-DEM modeling

A new computational system is proposed and developed to simulate magnetic powder behavior under applied magnetic field. It is well-known fact that magnetic powder builds up a chain or column structure in an applied magnetic field, but it is difficult to simulate accurately by conventional modeling. In the present paper, a Distinct Element Method (DEM) is developed and coupled with a magnetic FEM. Magnetic flux in the assembly of particles can be calculated by the FEM, thereby the force exerted to each particle can be obtained. The force is then use to simulate the movement of the particles by the DEM. A simple analysis of two magnetic particles in applied magnetic field shows a difference from that by the conventional simulation system. Further, the present simulation shows that the structures consist of not only simple chains of one particle wide but also columnar structure of two or more particles wide.