Homogenization of granular material modeled by a three-dimensional discrete element method

A homogenization strategy for granular materials is presented and applied to a three-dimensional discrete element method (DEM), that uses superellipsoids as particles. Macroscopic quantities are derived from the microscopic quantities resulting from a DEM simulation by averaging over representative volume elements (RVEs). The implementation of an RVE is described in detail regarding the definition and discretization of the RVE boundary. The homogenization strategy is validated by DEM simulations of compression and shear tests of cohesionless granular assemblies. Finally, an elasto-plastic material model is fitted to the resulting stress–strain curves.