In general, uniform mixing of particles is desirable in the process of particle handling. However, during the charging of sinter feed and upper ore, size segregation must be induced to prevent heat imbalance, ensure bed permeability, and prevent the loss of fine ore. In this study, upper ore charging was simulated using a discrete element method (DEM) to find the optimal method for controlling particle size segregation, and the segregation characteristics in the upper ore bed were investigated when a deflector plate was applied to the charging machine. The degree of vertical segregation increased when a deflector plate was applied, and it was confirmed that the segregation direction in the upper ore bed can be controlled by adjusting the charging direction of the upper ore by using a deflector plate. In order to apply this method directly to the actual process, further study is needed to understand the influence of the characteristics of the deflector plate such as length and angle.

In the ironmaking, sizes of raw materials such as iron ores and coke must be adjusted for subsequent process in the blast furnace. The depletion of high grade iron ore in recent years necessitates a technology that can utilize low-grade fine iron ores. Thus, steelmakers have been studying the sinter-briquette complex firing process that employs a method of charging the sinter feed together with briquettes made of fine iron ore. In this process, larger briquettes increase the briquette productivity per unit time but decrease the green strength of briquettes and they can break during transportation and charging. Thus, the briquette shape is very important.

Therefore, in this study, we simulate a twin roll briquetting process using the DEM analysis and compared the compressive force distributions in the briquette for different aspect ratios. This study is a new attempt, because research cases by numerical methods on the same or similar systems are very rare. Consequently, the optimal aspect ratio is 0.5 at briquette height 20 mm, 2.0 at 30 mm, and 1.5 at 40 mm. Also, the average compressive force increased in proportion with the pocket height at the same aspect ratio. Therefore, to increase the pocket depth for high productivity, the pocket height must also be increased for obtaining high strength briquettes.

The rheological property of asphalt is an important factor affecting the pavement performance of asphalt binder, and the fundamental reason for the change of asphalt rheological property is the strong evolution of asphalt material meso structure. However, the internal mechanism of rejuvenated asphalt mastic system is complex and its rules are difficult to grasp. Aiming to study the relationship between meso mechanical parameters and rheological parameters of rejuvenated asphalt mastic, the meso structure model of rejuvenated asphalt mastic was established and improved based on the discrete element method. Moreover, the meso parameters of the model were obtained by the objective function method, and then the influences of various factorswere studied to construct the mathematical constitutive model of rheological parameter modulus and meso mechanical parameters. Combing with the reliability of the improved Burgers model was verified based on the rheological test results of rejuvenated asphalt mastic. In addition, the virtual test of dynamic shear rheological dynamic frequency scanning was carried out on the asphalt mastic sample by particle flow software. By adjusting the mesomechanical parameters, the simulation results (complex shear modulus and phase angle)were consistent with the test results. This study clarified the relationship between mesomechanics and macro performance, and this model could be used to obtain the complex shear modulus of rejuvenated asphalt mastic under different types, filler-asphalt ratio and external force environments by adjusting particle flow, wall boundary and other conditions, which can greatly save the workload for the later research and provide a theoretical basis for production experiments.

The paper presents an analysis of determining the load of a model tunnel lining in a noncohesive soil medium at two different heights of soil backfill above the structure. A series of simulations were performed with the flexible and rigid tunnel lining. The analysis was performed by conducting simulations with the use of an author’s program based on the discrete element method. The model previously calibrated on the basis of laboratory tests was used. The loads acting on the structure, the distribution of stresses in the surrounding soil medium and the displacements of this medium in the vicinity of the structure were determined and compared. The effect of soil weight and technological load applied from the surface was taken into account. The values of the numerically obtained loads of the tunnel lining were compared with those calculated according to the classic Hewett’s method.
It has been proven that in both cases the degree of cooperation between the structure and soil is significantly related to the rigidity of the structure, hence the loads determined may differ significantly from the results obtained according to classical methods. It was shown that discrete modelling allows to reflect differences in the behaviour of the soil medium resulting from different heights of soil backfill. Smaller horizontal pressure was obtained in the side zones of an excavation at a higher backfill. In addition, significantly greater intensity of vertical soil displacements over the lining were observed with a lower backfill height.

A two-scale numerical homogenization approach was used for granular materials. At small-scale level, granular micro-structure was simulated using the discrete element method. At macroscopic level, the finite element method was applied. An up-scaling technique took into account a discrete model at each Gauss integration point of the FEM mesh to derive numerically an overall constitutive response of the material. In this process, a tangent operator was generated with the stress increment corresponding to the given strain increment at the Gauss point. In order to detect a loss of the solution uniqueness, a determinant of the acoustic tensor associated with the tangent operator was calculated. Some elementary geotechnical tests were numerically calculated using a combined DEM-FEM technique.

The paper presents and sums up the research and technical aspects of the modernization of the cutting tool of the dredger. Improper adjustment of the cutting elements not adjusted to the characteristics of excavated material is not an uncommon situation, causing versatile geological conditions. Relocation of the machines from one pit to another may result in the significant influence on the excavation process (wear, output, etc.). Common practice is the field try and error approach to obtain desired machine performance. In the paper authors present the approach with aid of cutting-edge technologies. Coupled DEM and kinematic simulations supported by the reverse engineering technologies of laser scanning were the fundamental drivers for final adjustments of the cutting tool at its present operational conditions.