The DEM course module was created by Carl Wassgren of the Particulate Systems Laboratory (PSL) at Purdue University. The series consists of slides and videos that will familiarize you with the basics of DEM.

Discrete Element Method has been applied to analyze and predict flow behaviour in a wide variety of situations, starting from simple shear flows to avalanches. In the field of pharmaceutical manufacturing, DEM modeling has provided valuable insight into areas such as granulation, mixing, coating, hopper flows, and segregation. DEM has proven to be an effective tool in characterizing operating regimes, and in scale up efforts.

This course module is designed to familiarize participants with the methodology of hard- and soft-particle DEM. The module illustrates the capabilities and limitations of DEM. Covered topics include the basics of DEM, particle and boundary modeling, measurements, force models, coarse and fine contact detection schemes, and time integration schemes. At the end of the course, participants will understand the basic concepts and governing principles of DEM, which will enable them to:

• understand the capabilities and limitations of DEM
• properly use commercially available DEM packages
• write their own DEM codes

The module is structured around physical understanding of the subject material and does not dwell on DEM programming. The module includes presentation slides and video lectures. Additional material will be included over time.

Researchers should cite this work as follows:

• Carl Wassgren; Avik Sarkar (2008), "Discrete Element Method (DEM) Course Module," http://pharmahub.org/resources/113.

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1. Discrete element model (DEM)