A discrete model of a two-particle contact applied to cohesive granular materials

In this paper, we consider the complex problem of how to simulate particle contacts, taking into account the cohesion effect. In accordance with the molecular dynamics models, we propose a novel expression for the repulsive force which controls dynamically the transfer and dissipation of energy in granular media. This expression is formulated under fractional calculus, where a fractional derivative accumulates the whole history of the virtual overlap over time in weighted form. We then discuss and illustrate the basic properties of the repulsive force in a normal direction to the contacting surfaces. This approach allows us to perform simulations of arbitrary multiparticle contacts as well as granular cohesion dynamics. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]