Engineering Applications of Discrete Element Method: Operation Analysis and Optimization Design of Coal and Agricultural Machinery

This book introduces the engineering application of the discrete element method (DEM), especially the simulation analysis of the typical equipment (scraper conveyor, coal silos, subsoiler) in the coal and agricultural machinery. In this book, the DEM is applied to build rigid and loose coupling model, and the kinematic effect of the bulk materials, the mechanical effect of the interaction between the bulk materials, and the mechanical equipment in the operation process of the relevant equipment are studied. On this basis, the optimization design strategy of the relevant structure is proposed. This book effectively promotes the application of DEM in engineering, analyzes the operation state, failure mechanism, and operation effect of related equipment in operation, and provides theoretical basis for the optimal design of equipment. The book is intended for undergraduate and graduate students who are interested in mechanical engineering, researchers investigating coal and agricultural machinery, and engineers working on designing related equipments. 

Dr. Xuewen Wang received his B.E. in Mechanical Engineering and Automation from Taiyuan University of Science and Technology, Shanxi, China, in 2001, and the M.E. and Ph.D. degrees in Mechanical Design and Theory from Taiyuan University of Technology, Shanxi, in 2004 and 2008, respectively. From September 2008 to June 2010, Dr. Wang was in the College of Mechanical and Vehicle Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, as a Lecturer. From June 2010 to December 2016, Dr. Wang was in the same college as an Associate Professor. Since December 2016, Dr. Wang has been in the same college as a Professor. 

Dr. Wang focuses on the research of modern mechanical design theory and method. His recent research interests include: discrete element of mining machinery, optimization design of mining machinery and equipment, digitalization and informatization of mining machinery and equipment, virtual reality design of mining machinery products, etc.

Since 2004, Dr. Wanghas published more than 60 academic papers in various journals, won 3 second prizes for scientific and technological progress in Shanxi Province, published 2 academic works (1 National Science and Technology works publishing Fund), edited 2 textbooks, authorized (applied) 5 invention patents, and registered more than 20 software copyrights. He was selected as the outstanding young talents in the “Sanjinyingcai” support program of Shanxi Province in 2018.

He is a senior member of CMES, a member of CCS and SXMES, outstanding young academic leaders of colleges and universities in Shanxi Province, “131” leading talents in colleges and universities of Shanxi Province – outstanding young and middle-aged top innovative talents, and the young academic team leader of Taiyuan University of Technology. He has been the Reviewer of many journals. 

Dr. Bo Li received his B.E. and Ph.D. degrees in Agricultural Mechanization Engineering from Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China, in 2011 and 2016, respectively. Since December 2018, Dr. Li has been in the College of Mechanical and Vehicle Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, as an Associate Professor.

Dr. Li focuses on the application of discrete element methods. His recent research interests include bulk coal and rock transportation system, optimized design of mine and agricultural machinery, intelligent coal machine equipment, etc. Since 2013, Dr. Li has published 18 peer-reviewed technical papers in international journals and conferences. He was selected as outstanding young talents in the “Sanjinyingcai” support program of Shanxi Province in 2018. 

Dr. Rui Xia received her B.E. and M.E. degrees in Mechanical Design Theory from Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China, in 2011 and 2014, respectively, and the Ph.D. degree in the same major from Taiyuan University of Technology, Shanxi, China, in 2019. Since December 2019, Dr. Xia has been in the College of Mechanical and Vehicle Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, as a Lecturer.

Dr. Rui Xia focuses on the wear of mining machinery. Her recent research interests include the application of discrete element method, optimization design of mining machinery and equipment, etc. 

Haozhou Ma received his B.E. degrees in Mechanical Design Manufacturing and Automation from Taiyuan University of Technology, Shanxi, China, in 2017. Since September 2018, he has been in the School of Mechanical Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, as a Master student.

He focuses on the research of discrete element of mining machinery. His recent research interests include parametric design of rigid and loose coupling model of mining machinery, optimization design of mining machinery and equipment, etc.