Discrete Element Method

Level-Set Particle And Geometry GEnerator (LS-PAGGE): Accurate representations of arbitrary particle shapes
Level-Set Particle And Geometry GEnerator (LS-PAGGE): Accurate representations of arbitrary particle shapes

This paper presents a software package for creating signed distance functions of any object or shape from e.g. images or STL files.

Jan 10, 2026

LS-PAGGE
LS-PAGGE

LS-PAGGE provides non-expert users with a relatively simple way of creating and modifying level set objects for the use in simulation methods such as computational fluid dynamics (CFD), the discrete element method (DEM), or the phase field method (PFM). The motivation behind LS-PAGGE is that level sets (LS) or signed distance functions (SDF) can be incredibly efficient to describe tooling geometries or complex particle shapes in DEM. However, manipulating level sets is also non-trivial, creating a rather high entry barrier for those that do not have the time to become level-set experts themselves. LS-PAGGE thus provides a wide range of default shapes as well as import methods for images, meshes, and clumps to create level sets. Similarly, the level sets can be adjusted and exported for e.g. (V)LS-DEM simulation in YADE.

Jan 1, 2026

YADE - An extensible framework for the interactive simulation of multiscale, multiphase, and multiphysics particulate systems
YADE - An extensible framework for the interactive simulation of multiscale, multiphase, and multiphysics particulate systems

This paper presents the key elements of YADE, an open-source software for discrete element method (DEM) simulations.

Nov 1, 2024

YADE
YADE

Versatile multiphysics discrete element method (DEM) simulation engine.

Nov 1, 2024

Volume-interacting level set discrete element method: The porosity and angle of repose of aspherical, angular, and concave particles
Volume-interacting level set discrete element method: The porosity and angle of repose of aspherical, angular, and concave particles

Through a numerical study, this work shows that particle shape, particularly concavity and sharp features, can have a drastic effect on bulk properties.

Jan 1, 2024

ON-DEM
ON-DEM

The Open Network on DEM simulations (ON-DEM), an internatinal collaboration to standardise and advance the discrete element method (DEM).

Oct 4, 2023

A physically consistent Discrete Element Method for arbitrary shapes using Volume-interacting Level Sets
A physically consistent Discrete Element Method for arbitrary shapes using Volume-interacting Level Sets

A new variant of the discrete element method (DEM) with extensive testing, working on highly complex shapes such as those that are concave and interlocking.

Sep 1, 2023