Application of discrete element method to study mechanical behaviors of ceramic breeder pebble beds

In this paper, the discrete element method (DEM) approach has been applied to study mechanical behaviors of ceramic breeder ebble beds. Directly simulating the contact state of each individual particle by the physically based interaction laws, the DEM umerical program is capable of predicting the mechanical behaviors of non-standard packing structures. The program can also rovide the data to trace the evolution of contact characteristics and forces as deformation proceeds, as well as the particle ovement when the pebble bed is subjected to external loadings. Our numerical simulations focus on predicting the mechanical ehaviors of ceramic breeder pebble beds, which include typical fusion breeder materials in solid breeder blankets. Current umerical results clearly show that the packing density and the bed geometry can have an impact on the mechanical stiffness of he pebble beds. Statistical data show that the contact forces are highly related to the contact status of the pebbles. 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.