To overcome the limitations of the coupled Gilbert-Johnson-Keerthi (GJK) and expanding polytope algorithm (EPA) in classifying contact types for complex-shaped elements, this study proposes an improved contact classification method. By introducing the concept of a contact reference plane, the contact classification problem between complex-shaped elements is simplified to determining the relationship between each element and the reference plane. Built on this approach, a natural packing simulation algorithm for complex-shaped elements is established under the discrete element framework, and the corresponding implementation code is developed. The theoretical foundation of the proposed method is analyzed through two representative contact cases, followed by packing simulation experiments involving polyhedral and cylindrical elements. The research results show that the proposed algorithm can accurately simulate the packing process of complex-shaped elements. Compared with the improved common-plane method and the GJK-EPA method, the improved GJK-EPA method produces smoother packing contours and more compact element arrangements, demonstrating superior simulation performance. In comparison to the traditional GJK-EPA method, the improved algorithm enhances the computational accuracy of packing simulations for cylindrical and polyhedral elements by 8.4% and 24.8%, respectively, validating the applicability and advanced nature of the proposed algorithm.
四面体-圆柱单元的接触示例见图6,四面体ABCD的三角面ABC与圆柱体的底面接触。根据 式(2)可以得出,圆柱单元的接触特征为下底面圆。根据图中的接触法向 d 沿面ABC远离D点的方向延伸,参照式(2),计算出四面体沿着接触法向 d 共可得到3个支持点A、B和C。根据支持点数量可以判定四面体单元的接触特征为面。
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