Surface orientation tensor to predict preferred contact orientation and characterise the form of individual particles

The characterisation and classification of particle form are typically based on the consideration main dimensions, for derivation which no method has been unanimously accepted or proven to be representative its morphology load-bearing capabilities. This study proposes a weighted fabric tensor, named “surface orientation tensor”, that characterises an individual particle. Using eigenvalues this efficient measures compactness, flakiness elongation proposed. In comparison traditional oriented bounding box approaches, it advantage is directly orientations normal vectors faces forming surface particle, i.e. those directions along can best transmit contact forces neighbours. advantages proposed approach pointed out with discrete element simulations assemblies polyhedral particles.