Discrete Element Method
The Discrete Element Method (DEM) is a numerical simulation technique used to model the behavior of granular materials, powders, and other systems composed of discrete particles. It calculates the motion and interactions of individual particles based on Newton's laws of motion and contact mechanics, enabling detailed analysis of phenomena like flow, mixing, and fracture. DEM is widely applied in engineering, physics, and materials science to study complex particulate systems that are difficult to analyze with continuum methods.
Developers should learn DEM when working on simulations involving granular materials, such as in geotechnical engineering for soil mechanics, pharmaceutical manufacturing for powder processing, or industrial applications like mining and agriculture. It is essential for predicting particle-scale behaviors, optimizing equipment design, and understanding failure mechanisms in particulate systems, offering insights that continuum models cannot provide.