Reporter Topic: The development of the energy-conserving contact (ECC) theory and models: Twenty Years of a Personal Journey

Reporter: Prof. Yuntian Feng, Swansea University

Time: 10:00, July.19, 2025

Location: Room 202, Academic Hall of State Key Laboratory

Brief Introduction of Report

The discrete element method (DEM) has advanced significantly since it originated in 1979. This talk aims to provide an overview of some major developments in contact theory and models for non-spherical particles, especially for the energy-conserving contact (ECC) theory over the last two decades. Various shape representation schemes for non-spherical particles are first presented using a classification system, followed by the critical review of contact modelling approaches for almost all contact types of non-spherical shapes. In addition to outlining key ideas, concepts and novel computational procedures that are proposed in these methodologies in a systematic and logically constructed manner, their evolutions and inter-relations in particular are also discussed in detail. Moreover, possible problems and unresolved issues for each method reviewed are highlighted, and possible solutions are pointed out where applicable.