Method and apparatus for discrete element modeling with a virtual geometry object

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing program code for implementing a method for discrete element modelling of a plurality of discrete elements corresponding to particles and physical geometry elements, wherein said modelling performs a simulation through time of physical interactions of the particles with each other and with the physical geometry elements in a three-dimensional space, the method comprising:

• providing a virtual geometry object comprising a user-defined shape, wherein the virtual geometry object does not undergo physical interaction with the particles or physical geometry elements during the simulation,
• receiving user-defined parameters for determining the position, orientation and any movement of the virtual geometry object with respect to the three-dimensional space,
• locating the virtual geometry object in the three-dimensional space during the simulation in accordance with the user-defined parameters,
• using an analysis tool to select a list of particles by identifying particles that have a specified relationship with respect to the virtual geometry object;
• and
• a user specifying movement of the virtual geometry object through time with respect to the three-dimensional space, wherein the virtual geometry object is linked to a physical geometry element such that the virtual geometry object has the same movement through the three-dimensional space as the linked physical geometry element.

A computer-implemented simulation system for discrete element modelling of a plurality of discrete elements corresponding to particles and physical geometry elements, wherein said modelling performs a simulation through time of physical interactions of the particles with each other and with the physical geometry elements in a three-dimensional space, the simulation system comprising:

• a data structure specifying a virtual geometry object comprising a user-defined shape, wherein the virtual geometry object does not undergo physical interaction with the particles or physical geometry elements during the simulation,
• a user interface for receiving user-defined parameters for determining the position, orientation and any movement of the virtual geometry object with respect to the three-dimensional space,
• processing means for locating the virtual geometry object in the three-dimensional space during the simulation in accordance with the user-defined parameters, and
• an analysis tool to select a list of particles by identifying particles that have a specified relationship with respect to the virtual geometry object;
• and
• wherein the simulation system is further configured for a user specifying movement of the virtual geometry object through time with respect to the three-dimensional space, wherein the virtual geometry object is linked to a physical geometry element such that the virtual geometry object has the same movement through the three-dimensional space as the linked physical geometry element.