Finite element methods for micropolar models of granular materials

Abstract

We present a thermodynamically based finite element scheme for rate-independent materials and demonstrate its application in modelling the rheological behaviour of granular materials. Starting from the laws of thermodynamics, we have recently developed a new class of micropolar-type constitutive relations for two-dimensional densely packed granular media. This class of constitutive laws is expressed in terms of particle-scale properties, thus providing a direct link between observed macroscopic behaviour and the underlying particle-particle interactions. Here, we demonstrate how the connection to the underlying physics can be maintained and carried through to the finite element implementatio..