DEM simulation of dumbbell shaped particles under vertical vibration

The objective of the present work is to investigate the behavior of dumbbell-shaped particles in a cylindrical container subjected to vertical vibration. Particles with different aspect ratios in the commercially used LabRAM mixer (Resodyn Acoustic Mixers, Inc., MT, USA) are selected for the present study. Simulations are performed for different amplitudes of the vibrating platform. Particle properties are assumed to be same as that of potassium chloride (KCl). Simulations are performed in two stages. Particles are initially poured into the container and allowed to settle under gravity. Vibration is switched on after the particles are settled. It is observed that the mean coordination number of particles in packed state, increases with the increase in aspect ratio. Only for particles of lower aspect ratio, kinetic energy of the system increases with the increase in vibrational amplitude. Simulation results also show that the anisotropy observed in the mean squared fluctuations of translational velocity reduces with the increase in vibrational amplitude.