Modelling granular soil behaviour using a physics engine. Issue 4 (29th October 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pytlos, M.; Gilbert, M.; Smith, C. C.
• Is Part Of: Géotechnique letters. Volume 5:Issue 4(2015)
• Page Start: 243
• Page End: 249
• Publication Date: 2015-10-29
• Subjects: discrete-element modelling -- particle-scale behaviour; Geotechnical engineering -- Periodicals; Engineering geology -- Periodicals; 624.151
• DOI: 10.1680/jgele.15.00067
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2045-2543

Abstract

Abstract : A physics engine is a software library used in the film and computer games industries to realistically animate a physical system. In this paper it is shown that particulate media can be faithfully modelled using a rigid body physics engine, thereby providing a viable alternative to the discrete element method codes currently used in the field of geomechanics. An overview of the simulation method implemented in the widely used Box2D physics engine is provided, and it is shown that this tool can successfully capture the critical state response of granular media, using particles modelled as randomly shaped polygons.