Simulating material compaction has traditionally been difficult, since particles rarely keep their original shape once compressed. To address this, Ansys Rocky, a particle dynamics simulation software, has added a deformable particle feature within its discrete element method modeling. Using this approach, particles are represented as meshed bodies made of connected tetrahedral elements that can change shape, and detach from one another when stress at their connecting surface joints reaches a defined limit.
This aims to help study porosity, relative density distribution, and local stresses in processes such as tablet compaction, supporting industries including pharmaceuticals, food, consumer products, battery, and additive manufacturing. The resulting relative density data can also be used in structural finite element analysis to assess material property variation and shape, with the overall approach aiming to support product quality assurance and control over manufacturing conditions.
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