Simulation Study on the Soil Mechanical Properties Based on DEM

Abstract

An accurate soil model is essential for the simulation study of the interaction between the soil and the working utilities of the earth-moving machines, such as the blade of a grader or bulldozer, based on the discrete element method. According to the relevant soil properties theory of the soil mechanics, the mechanical-properties-based soil model is established by using the discrete element method simulation software EDEMTM. The model is modified repeatedly by comparing the data from the simulation tests with those sourced from former research based on large number of field tests, until the relatively accurate soil mechanical properties can be approached in the established soil model. Finally, the accuracy of the DEM-based cohesive soil model is varified by the inner friction angle, cohesion and the repose angle through the simulation tests.