A discrete element model for simulation of a spinning disc fertilizer spreader.

In this paper, a DEM (Discrete Element Method) model is presented and a series of computer experiments is analyzed and compared to experimental validations. Also, the simulations are compared to experimental results. The model uses a 3 parameter contact force to calculate impact between particles and other object such as vanes. The components of the contact forces are typically modeled in terms of a scalar quantity measuring the material deformation at the contact point. In this paper we use the Hertz-Kono-Kuwabara model [Kuwabara ,1987] for the normal force component [Schäfer et al., 1996] experienced by the particle : ( ) ( ) 2 min 0, N N N N N k c δ δ δ = − + N n & . (1)