Bonded Particle Model Calibration Using Design of Experiments and Multi-Objective Optimization

Other conference contribution, 2016

The bonded particle model (BPM) is one of the common approaches for modelling rock materials in DEM. In order to assure good breakage characteristics, the model needs to be calibrated against experimental data. Yoon (2007) presented an approach based on Design of Experiments (DoE) in two stages and an optimization method for minimizing the error between the simulation based response surface models and experimental data. Further work needs to be done in this area in order to achieve a standardized procedure. Hence, in this study the calibration approach is expanded to 3D DEM and multi-objective optimization considering rock strength characteristics, breakage behaviour and computational economy. A DoE simulation plan has been applied in two stages: the first with the purpose of statistical parametrical screening and the second for design augmentation and response modelling. The Brazilian tensile strength test is used as the loading condition in both simulations and laboratory experiments. The optimization results suggest that the proposed framework is a successful approach for DEM calibration and that there is a clear trade-off between calibration accuracy and computational economy.