Abstract: A method is described for discrete element modelling and for performing a three-dimensional simulation through time of a plurality of discrete elements corresponding to particles and physical geometry elements. The method can comprise the following operations: providing a virtual geometry object comprising a user-defined shape (the virtual geometry object does not undergo physical interaction with the particles or physical geometry elements during the simulation); receiving user-defined parameters for determining the position, orientation and any movement of the virtual geometry object with respect to the three-dimensional space; locating the virtual geometry object in the three-dimensional space during the simulation in accordance with the user-defined parameters; and/or identifying the particles, physical geometry elements and/or physical interactions having a particular relationship with respect to the virtual geometry object. The identified elements can then be analyzed by the user.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods and systems are described for discrete element modelling of a plurality of discrete elements corresponding to particles and physical geometry elements. The disclosed embodiments provide a plurality of discrete element material models, each discrete element material model corresponding to a respective bulk material and containing (i) information regarding the properties of particles within said bulk material, and (ii) information regarding the behavior of interactions between such particles. The following information can be received from a user: a selection of a bulk material for use in a simulation, and a specification of properties associated with the selected bulk material. The disclosed embodiments can perform a discrete element model simulation on a set of particles, wherein the simulation uses the information regarding the behavior of interactions between particles from the discrete element material model for a user-selected bulk material.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention provides a computer-implemented method for discrete element modelling of a plurality of discrete elements corresponding to particles and physical geometry elements. The modelling performs a simulation through time of physical interactions of the particles with each other and with the physical geometry elements in a three-dimensional space. The method comprises providing a plurality of discrete element material models, each discrete element material model corresponding to a respective bulk material and containing (i) information regarding the properties of particles within said bulk material, and (ii) information regarding the behaviour of interactions between such particles. The method further comprises receiving from a user: (i) a selection of a bulk material for use in a simulation, and (ii) a specification of properties associated with the selected bulk material.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention provides a computer-implemented method for discrete element modelling of a plurality of discrete elements corresponding to particles and physical geometry elements. The modelling performs a simulation through time of physical interactions of the particles with each other and with the physical geometry elements in a three-dimensional space. The method comprises providing a virtual geometry object comprising a user-defined shape. The virtual geometry object does not undergo physical interaction with the particles or physical geometry elements during the simulation. The method further comprises receiving user-defined parameters for determining the position, orientation and any movement of the virtual geometry object with respect to the three-dimensional space.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention provides a computer-implemented simulation system for discrete element modeling. The system comprises discrete elements corresponding to objects or particles, where each particle has a predefined set of properties. The system further has an interface for receiving at least one behaviour model for applying to the particles, and supports receipt from the at least one model of one or more custom properties for the particles. The system is responsive to receipt of the one or more custom properties to extend the discrete elements to contain both the predefined set of properties and the one or more custom properties for the particles. The system is operable to perform a simulation using discrete element modeling by applying the at least one behaviour model to the particles and to update accordingly values of the predefined and custom properties.