Finite element investigation of dense granular flow in shear cells

Granular matter is one of the most commonly handled materials on our planet and has many unique features that cannot be observed in usual substances. Shear cells are commonly deployed to study fundamental mechanics and constitutive models of granular flow. By using a dynamic finite element method, the thesis seeks to macroscopically model granular flow in shear cells based on conventional elastoplastic theories and recently developed rheology. The thesis improves the understanding of state-of-the-art problems in sheared granular flow for both research interests and industrial applications, including the important phenomena, applicable constitutive models and continuum simulation frameworks for complex flow.