This example demonstrates the use of PFC to model a pile of rock boulders sliding down a slope. The slope is represented by a DXF surface that is imported into PFC and automatically converted to wall facets. The boulders consist of clumps of overlapping pebbles generated from a set of STL surface geometry files. During the model run, the boulders are plotted using a smooth surface representation of the clumps (rather than the actual pebbles).
Using a set of data files called (executed) sequentially via a central "doall" data file, this example demonstrates:
(1) How to make and save binary clump templates for future simulations (make_clump_templates.p3dat):
import the STL files of the boulders
use BubblePack to generate the pebble distribution and calculate the inertia tensor and volume from the surface description
calculate the inertia tensor from the pebble distribution
export each one to a binary file to be loaded later
(2) How to generate clumps in a periodic container and let them settle within a periodic space (put_in_periodic):
import the clump templates from the binary files
generate a distribution of clumps derived from a series of bin sizes based on volume fraction
assign clump properties and linear contact model for initial packing
calm clumps for initial packing
make brick and export as file
save model results at this stage
(3) How to generate the mountain slope topology, assign clump and slope properties, and create particle velocity traces (make_mountain):
import the mountain as a wall
import the brick and assemble it
remove any clumps outside of the mountain surface
add a bounding box and permit clumps to settle into their initial position
assign clump properties and linear contact model for the final simulation
settle in the box
change the frictional properties along the slope
add a number of particle traces
save model results at this stage
(4) How to run a simple simulation in PFC(run_model):
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