Modelling particle kinetic behaviour considering asperity contact: formulation and DEM simulations

A model of formulating particle kinetic behaviour considering surface asperity is presented. The asperity was created by lining up on the surface a set of particles in varying distances. A moving particle was assigned a velocity to travel on the rugged surface where the particle trajectory and mechanical energy were gauged. The results were used to validate a discrete element framework which was developed and applied to examine the effect of surface asperity on the particle kinetic behaviour. Some interesting case studies were designed and simulated. The simulations suggested that the surface roughness influenced the energy dissipation caused in the particle–surface collisions. The research outcomes defined the inter-particle reaction from a micro-scale perspective and helped predict asperity-induced wear.