1. The Discrete Element Method
Carlos Labra
International Center for Numerical Methods in Engineering
Barcelona, Spain
DEM, Barcelona 2010

2. Lecture 1: Fundamentals
Overview
Discrete vs. continuous material approach
Discrete element formulation
Equation of motion
Time integration schemes
Stability
Contact models
Rotational interaction
Damping
Structure of DEM model
Contact search algorithms
Generation of discrete elements assemblies
Determination of micromechanical parameters
DEM, Barcelona 2010

3. Lecture 2: Application and advanced topics
Modelling of granular materials: sand mould manufacturing
Modelling of cohesive materials: rock cutting processes
Advanced topics
Thermal formulation of the DEM
Thermo-mechanical coupling
Wear analysis
DEM/FEM coupling
Summary
Practical exercise
A practical example of the discrete element simulation with the code DEMpack
DEM, Barcelona 2010