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):
- adjust the plot view
- cycle the model 100,000 times
- save final model results at this stage
Keywords:
- rock fall
- fly rock
- avalanche
Materials:
- Rock
Analyses:
- Dynamic
