Numerical simulation of fluidity behavior of fresh concrete by 2D distinct element method

In this paper the applicability of two dimensional Distinct Element Method (DEM for short herein) has been discussed to simulate the fluidity behavior of fresh concrete through O75 funnel by depicting the force and velocity diagram of particulate assemblage in a series of time steps. Force interference of particles located in the area of clearance alteration has been successfully demonstrated and the flowing stagnation due to arch forming can be clearly seen. Furthermore the deformability of fresh concrete can be connected to the following coefficients such as spring constants of both normal and tangential direction, dashpot coefficients of both normal and tangential direction, friction coefficient and allowance of tension between particles in DEM model. The correlation between flowing time and allowance of tension has also been shown.