https://doi.org/10.1140/epje/s10189-023-00361-z
Regular Article - Flowing Matter
Random packing dynamics of 
-triplets
Exact and Natural Sciences Center, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido-UFERSA, PO Box 0137, CEP 59625-900, Mossoró, RN, Brazil
Received:
17
August
2023
Accepted:
3
October
2023
Published online:
13
October
2023
In this paper, we used a combination of DEM and the multi-sphere method to investigate the random packing dynamics of -triplets. These triplets consist of three overlapping primary spheres, forming a bent structure with a bond angle of 
and belonging to the 
symmetry group. The motivation for choosing such a structural arrangement is twofold: first, to understand how bent-shaped structures influence packing dynamics, and secondly, to investigate how mesoscopic or macroscopic particles possessing symmetry similar to that found in more elementary particles impact packing observables. To ensure non-overlapping particles at the beginning of the simulations, the confinement box was divided into basic cells. Each triplet was then inserted into a basic cell with a random orientation. After that, the system is allowed to settle under gravity toward the bottom of the box. An implicit leapfrog algorithm with quaternion acceleration was used to numerically integrate the rotational motion equations. Through a molecular approach, we consider the impact of long-range cohesive forces by employing a Lennard–Jones (LJ)-type potential. Packing processes are studied assuming different long-range interaction strengths. Different quantities are studied including packing density and orientation pair correlation function. In addition, the force probability distributions in the random packing structures have been analyzed.
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© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to EDP Sciences, SIF and Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2023. Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
