Efficient Particle Simulation Using a Two-Phase DEM-Lookup Approach

We present a fast, data-based approach to predict soil-tool forces. In an expensive offline phase, we perform time-consuming particle simulations based on the Discrete Element Method (DEM). Relevant tool parameters, more specifically cutting depth, angle of incidence and velocity in longitudinal direction are varied to obtain a significant data range of the tool forces and moments. The data is stored in a structure, which we call a Lookup Table (LUT). In an online phase, we use the tool parameters to access the Lookup Table data and to obtain a meaningful approximation of the soil-tool interaction forces.