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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