Results Data

You can export specific data collected during your simulation for analysis using general settings or queries.

To export Results data:
  1. Navigate to File > Export > Results Data.
  2. In the Export Results Data dialog box, specify the following details:


    For Specify
    Configuration ID Click the icon to create a new Configuration ID.

    You can create multiple queries for a model within a single configuration or multiple configurations. For example, one configuration may contain a number of queries relating to particles while it may have queries solely relating to contacts. You can modify configurations at any point, add new queries, or remove redundant queries.
    Export Format Select the export file format - EnSight (.case) or Text (.csv). For EnSight files, and ensure that the total number of characters (file name and directory) is not greater than 72.
    Filename Specify a file name and location for the configuration.
    Title Specify a title for the configuration.

Export Data - General

You can configure general settings for exporting results data.

To configure General settings:
In the Export Results Data dialog box, click the General tab and specify the following details:


For Specify
Output Data in Columns Indicates how data is laid out in the exported file. Select the checkbox to extract the data in columns.
The following images show a sample of the same exported data.


The first image shows the data with the option not selected. The second image shows data with the option selected.
Output Domain Select the checkbox to export data to an EnSight file. The information on the domain will be exported with the data. Else, a new domain will be created automatically when the file is loaded in EnSight.
Omit All Text Select the checkbox to extract data without the Header Info, Query Names, or data labels in the exported file. The following figure shows an example of exported data with Omit All Text and Output Data in Columns turned on:
Omit Header Info Select the checkbox to extract data without the Header Info. Header Info contains information about the query which was output but the file can be easier to parse in a post-processing operation if this data is excluded from the file. The following image shows an example of exported data with Header Info:
Omit Query Names Select the checkbox to extract data without the Query Names included in the data labels. The following image shows an example of exported data without Query Names:
Line Break Select the checkbox to start a new line after X columns.
Delimiter Select the checkbox to set a delimiter if you are exporting to a text file. By default, EDEM inserts a line break at 256 columns (the maximum allowed by Microsoft Excel).
Notation Specify the notation used in your exported data files. Options are:
  • Scientific (1.234567890 E08)
  • Fixed-point (123456789.0)
  • Smart – switches from Fixed-point to Scientific at 1 E06 (or 1E-06)
Precision Specify the precision of the exported data files.
Note: You can change the precision at the export stage or navigate to Tools > Options > Data Export Defaults if you want to modify the default for all subsequent exports.
Time Steps Select All to extract data from all Time Steps in your simulation or from a defined range. If a Time Step is from a partial save (indicated by the Time Step being disabled), data for the selected attributes may not be available. This is indicated by N/A in the exported file.
Step Factor Specify the Step Factor to extract data at a certain frequency despite the simulation deck containing more write-out points.

Export Data - Queries

You can also use queries to export the results data. A configuration can contain multiple queries, each of which defines one data attribute. Queries define what information is exported.

To configure Queries settings:
  1. Click the Queries tab to add a new query or remove redundant queries.
    A query is used to define a single element attribute. For example, a query could be up to extract the x-position of particles of type A in your model.
  2. In the Export Results Data dialog box, click the Queries tab and click the icon to create a new query.


    The attributes that you can export are listed under the element they are related to (collisions, contacts, particles, or Geometry). For more information about all the available attributes, components, and query types, see Attribute Definitions. 
  3. Select the Apply to Sub-Selections checkbox to export a separate query for each bin in a group (if defined), rather than one combined query for the entire group.
  4. Click any attribute to select it and then select the component of that attribute.
    For example, the magnitude of a contact vector. All available attributes and their components are listed in the following tables.
    1. Select the Geometry section, type of particle, or contact for which you want to export data.
      For example, select only collisions between certain particle types, or the force on a particular Geometry section. Data can be extracted on all elements of the selected type (or Geometry section), or limited to just those contained within a particular bin group or selection group.
    2. Select All from the Selection dropdown list to extract data on all elements.
      The bin and selection groups that have been created are listed.
  5. Select the query type from the Query Type dropdown list.
    The query type is used to determine which data values will be exported for a particular attribute. For example, if a query has been set up to export the velocity of particles of type A, you can select to export the maximum, minimum or average velocity per Time Step.
    The following data is exported for each query type:
    Query Type Data
    Standard Indicates the value of the attribute for every element of the selected type for each Time Step in the defined range. For example, the velocity of every particle at each Time Step.
    Total Indicates the sum of the values of the attribute for every element of the selected type. For example, the total velocity of all particles per Time Step. The total can be calculated per Time Step or over the range specified in the General settings section.
    Total Over Time Indicates the sum of attribute values for every unique element over a period of time, repeated elements will not added to the total. For example, the total mass of particles to pass through a selection bin. If particles are within the bin on multiple write-outs the mass will still only be added once. Per Time Step switch will output a value for every write-out instead of only the final total. Particles must be within the bin for at least one write-out to be included in the total. You must ensure that the frequency of write-out is small enough, or the bin is large enough to record every particle at least once.
    Average Indicates the average value of the attribute across all elements of the selected type for each Time Step in the defined range: For example, the average particle velocity per Time Step. The average can be calculated per Time Step, or over a specified range.
    Maximum Indicates the maximum value of the attribute across all elements of the selected type for each Time Step in the defined range. For example, the maximum particle velocity per Time Step. The maximum particle velocity can be calculated and exported per Time Step, or over the range specified in General settings.
    Minimum Indicates the minimum value of the attribute across all elements of the selected type for each Time Step in the defined range. For example, the minimum particle velocity per Time Step. The minimum can be calculated and exported per Time Step, or over a specified range.
    Standard Deviation Indicates the standard deviation of the attribute across all elements of the selected type for each Time Step in the defined range. For example, the standard deviation of particle velocity per Time Step. The standard deviation can be calculated and exported per Time Step, or over a specified range.
    Variance Indicates the variance value of the attribute across all elements of the selected type for each Time Step in the defined range. For example, the variance of particle velocity per Time Step. The variance can be calculated and exported per Time Step, or over a specified range.
  6. Select the Specify Range checkbox to limit the export to data between two specified values or a range.
    For example, only exporting particle velocity data for particles traveling between 3m/s and 5m/s.
  7. After setting up all the queries, click Export to export your data to your specified file.
    Similarly, you can create further queries. Queries are ordered by the natural sort order where strings are ordered alphabetically. Multi-digit numbers, however, are ordered as a single character. For more information about attributes, see Attribute Definitions.

Select Attributes, Components, and Query Types

The following tables provide information about the available attributes, components, and query types.
Table 1. Collision Elements
Attribute Component Query Types
Collision Elements Affects all or any combination of specific particles types or geometry sections.
Average normal force Magnitude, X, Y, Z Standard, Avg., Total, Std Dev., Variance, Min. or Max
Average tangential force Magnitude, X, Y, Z Standard, Avg., Total, Std Dev., Variance, Min. or Max
Duration N/A Standard, Avg., Std Dev., Variance, Min. or Max
End time N/A N/A
ID N/A N/A
ID Element n. N/A N/A
Maximum normal force Magnitude, X, Y, Z Standard, Avg., Total, Std Dev., Variance, Min. or Max
Maximum tangential force Magnitude, X, Y, Z Standard, Avg., Total, Std Dev., Variance, Min. or Max
Normal energy loss N/A Standard, Avg., Total, Std Dev., Variance, Min. or Max
Number of collisions N/A N/A
Position X, Y, Z N/A
Relative velocity Magnitude, X, Y, Z Standard, Avg., Total, Std Dev., Variance, Min. or Max
Relative velocity normal Magnitude, X, Y, Z Standard, Avg., Total, Std Dev., Variance, Min. or Max
Relative velocity tangential Magnitude, X, Y, Z Standard, Avg., Total, Std Dev., Variance, Min. or Max
Start time N/A N/A
Tangential energy loss N/A Standard, Avg., Total, Std Dev., Variance, Min. or Max
Total energy loss N/A Standard, Avg., Total, Std Dev., Variance, Min. or Max
Velocity of element A Magnitude, X, Y, Z Standard, Avg., Total, Std Dev., Variance, Min. or Max
Velocity of element B Magnitude, X, Y, Z Standard, Avg., Total, Std Dev., Variance, Min. or Max
Table 2. Torque
Query Type Description
Standard, Avg., Total, Std Dev., Variance, Min. or Max. Indicates the torque values based on the individual triangular elements.
Total Indicates the component X, Y or Z for a named Geometry component (for example, a screw blade) will provide a resulting torque values along the X,Y or Z axes for the Geometry component through the Geometry Center of Mass.
Specify Axis Select to determine which axis the torque is exported, or alternatively the torque Total via a specific axis. This is useful for Geometry that is not aligned along the X,Y or Z axes, or if the Center of Mass is not known.
Note: The following example shows an Auger with a specified rotation.


Following is the recommended Torque export setting:


The torque is exported along the user-defined axis which matches the axis of rotation of the Auger.
Table 3. Contact Elements
Attribute Component Query Types
Contact Elements Affects all or any combination of specific particles types or geometry sections.
Contact Normal (Polyhedral) X, Y, Z Standard, Avg., Total, Std Dev., Variance, Min. or Max
Contact vector 1 Magnitude, X, Y, Z Standard, Avg., Total, Std Dev., Variance, Min. or Max
Contact vector 2 Magnitude, X, Y, Z Standard, Avg., Total, Std Dev., Variance, Min. or Max
Normal force Magnitude, X, Y, Z Standard, Avg., Total, Std Dev., Variance, Min. or Max
Normal overlap N/A Standard, Avg., Total, Std Dev., Variance, Min. or Max
Number of contacts N/A Avg., Total, Min. or Max
Overlap Volume (Polyhedral) N/A Standard, Avg., Total, Std Dev., Variance, Min. or Max
Penetration Depth (Polyhedral) N/A Standard, Avg., Total, Std Dev., Variance, Min. or Max
Position X, Y or Z N/A
Tangential force Magnitude, X, Y, Z Standard, Avg., Total, Std Dev., Variance, Min. or Max
Tangential overlap N/A Standard, Avg., Total, Std Dev., Variance, Min. or Max
Custom property Depends on number of elements Standard, Avg., Total, Std Dev., Variance, Min. or Max
Table 4. Geometry Elements
Attribute Component Query Types
Geometry Elements Affects all or any individual section (as specified in EDEM Creator).
Angular Velocity Magnitude X, Y, Z Standard, Avg., Total, Std Dev., Variance, Min. or Max
Area N/A Standard, Avg., Total, Std Dev., Variance, Min. or Max
Center of mass X, Y, Z Standard, Avg., Total, Std Dev., Variance, Min. or Max
Compressive force N/A Standard, Avg., Total, Std Dev., Variance, Min. or Max
ID N/A N/A
Node n. X, Y, Z N/A
Orientation All, XX, XY, XZ, YX, YY, YZ, ZX, ZY, ZZ N/A
Position X, Y, Z N/A
Power N/A Total (-ve indicating power required to do work on particles)
Pressure N/A Standard, Total Pressure, Max, Min
Surface normal All, X, Y, Z N/A
Torque Magnitude, X, Y, Z Standard, Avg., Total (Specify Axis), Min. or Max
Total force Magnitude, X, Y, Z Standard, Avg., Total, Std Dev., Variance, Min. or Max
Velocity Magnitude, X, Y, Z Standard, Avg., Total, Std Dev., Variance, Min. or Max
Velocity CoM Magnitude, X, Y, Z Standard, Avg., Total, Std Dev., Variance, Min. or Max
Custom property Depends on number of elements Standard, Avg., Total, Std Dev., Variance, Min. or Max
Table 5. Particle Elements
Attribute Component Query Types
Particle Elements Affects all or any individual section (as specified in EDEM Creator).
Angular velocity Magnitude, X, Y, Z Standard, Avg., Total, Std Dev., Variance, Min. or Max
Axial stress X, Y, Z Standard, Avg., Total, Std Dev., Variance, Min. or Max
Compressive force N/A Standard, Avg., Total, Std Dev., Variance, Min. or Max
Coordination Number N/A Standard, Avg., Total, Std Dev., Variance, Min. or Max
Diameter N/A Standard, Avg., Total, Std Dev., Variance, Min. or Max
ID N/A N/A
Moment of Inertia Magnitude, X, Y, Z Standard, Avg., Total, Std Dev., Variance, Min. or Max
Kinetic energy N/A Standard, Avg., Total, Std Dev., Variance, Min. or Max
Mass N/A Standard, Avg., Total, Std Dev., Variance, Min. or Max
Number of particles N/A Avg., Total, Total over time, Std Dev., Variance, Min. or Max
Orientation All, XX, XY, XZ, YX, YY, YZ, ZX, ZY, ZZ N/A
Position X, Y or Z N/A
Potential energy N/A Standard, Avg., Total, Std Dev., Variance, Min. or Max
Residence Time N/A Standard, Avg., Min or Max
Rotational kinetic energy N/A Standard, Avg., Total, Std Dev., Variance, Min. or Max
Stress tensor XX, XY, XZ, YX, YY, YZ, ZX, ZY, ZZ Standard, Avg., Total, Std Dev., Variance, Min. or Max
Torque Magnitude, X, Y, Z Standard, Avg., Total, Std Dev., Variance, Min. or Max
Total energy N/A Standard, Avg., Total, Std Dev., Variance, Min. or Max
Total force Magnitude, X, Y, Z Standard, Avg., Total, Std Dev., Variance, Min. or Max
Velocity Magnitude, X, Y, Z Standard, Avg., Total, Std Dev., Variance, Min. or Max
Volume N/A Standard, Avg., Total, Std Dev., Variance, Min. or Max
Von Mises N/A Standard, Avg., Total, Std Dev., Variance, Min. or Max
Custom property Depends on the number of elements Standard, Avg., Total, Std Dev., Variance, Min. or Max
Table 6. Meta-Particle Data (only affects all particles and is not applicable for individual sections)
Attribute Component Query Types
Meta-Particle Data
Length (bounding box, extent or distance based) N/A Standard, Avg., Total, Std Dev., Variance, Min. or Max
Mass N/A Standard, Avg., Total, Std Dev., Variance, Min. or Max
Number of Particles N/A Standard, Avg., Total, Std Dev., Variance, Min. or Max
Volume N/A Standard, Avg., Total, Std Dev., Variance, Min. or Max
Position X, Y, Z Standard, Avg., Total, Std Dev., Variance, Min. or Max
Number of Elements N/A Standard, Avg., Total, Std Dev., Variance, Min. or Max

Stress Calculation

The following types of stresses can be calculated: Stress Tensor, Axial stresses, and Von Misses stresses.

Stress Tensor

The Stress Tensor for a single discrete element (particle) is calculated as follows:

( σ i j ) = 1 V p ∑ c = 1 n p c F i c s j c           w i t h       i , j = x , y , z MathType@MTEF@5@5@+= feaahyart1ev3aaatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbuLwBLn hiov2DGi1BTfMBaeXatLxBI9gBaerbd9wDYLwzYbItLDharqqtubsr 4rNCHbGeaGqiVu0Je9sqqrpepC0xbbL8F4rqqrFfpeea0xe9Lq=Jc9 vqaqpepm0xbba9pwe9Q8fs0=yqaqpepae9pg0FirpepeKkFr0xfr=x fr=xb9adbaqaaeGaciGaaiaabeqaamaabaabaaGcbaGaaiikaiabeo 8aZnaaBaaaleaacaWGPbGaamOAaaqabaGccaGGPaGaeyypa0ZaaSaa aeaacaaIXaaabaGaamOvamaaBaaaleaacaWGWbaabeaaaaGcdaaeWb qaaiaadAeadaqhaaWcbaGaamyAaaqaaiaadogaaaGccaWGZbWaa0ba aSqaaiaadQgaaeaacaWGJbaaaaqaaiaadogacqGH9aqpcaaIXaaaba GaamOBamaaBaaameaacaWGWbGaam4yaaqabaaaniabggHiLdGccaaM c8UaaGPaVlaaykW7caaMc8UaaGPaVlaadEhacaWGPbGaamiDaiaadI gacaaMc8UaaGPaVlaaykW7caWGPbGaaiilaiaadQgacqGH9aqpcaWG 4bGaaiilaiaadMhacaGGSaGaamOEaaaa@64CB@

where Vp is the volume of the particle p, npc the number of particles in contact with the particle p, Sc the vector connecting the particle center with the cth contact point and Fc the cth contact force.
Note:  For averaging in a representative volume (bin), the stress tensor must be divided by the volume of the bin.

Axial stresses

Axial stresses are calculated as follows:

T → l  =  σ xi 2 + σ yi 2 + σ zi 2    with   i=x,y,z MathType@MTEF@5@5@+= feaahyart1ev3aaatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbuLwBLn hiov2DGi1BTfMBaeXatLxBI9gBaerbd9wDYLwzYbItLDharqqtubsr 4rNCHbGeaGqiVu0Je9sqqrpepC0xbbL8F4rqqrFfpeea0xe9Lq=Jc9 vqaqpepm0xbba9pwe9Q8fs0=yqaqpepae9pg0FirpepeKkFr0xfr=x fr=xb9adbaqaaeGaciGaaiaabeqaamaabaabaaGcbaWaauWaaeaada WhcaqaaiaadsfaaiaawEniamaaBaaaleaacaWGSbaabeaaaOGaayzc SlaawQa7aiaaykW7cqGH9aqpcaaMc8+aaOaaaeaacqaHdpWCdaqhaa WcbaGaamiEaiaadMgaaeaacaaIYaaaaOGaey4kaSIaeq4Wdm3aa0ba aSqaaiaadMhacaWGPbaabaGaaGOmaaaakiabgUcaRiabeo8aZnaaDa aaleaacaWG6bGaamyAaaqaaiaaikdaaaaabeaakiaaykW7caaMc8Ua aGPaVlaadEhacaWGPbGaamiDaiaadIgacaaMc8UaaGPaVlaaykW7ca WGPbGaeyypa0JaamiEaiaacYcacaWG5bGaaiilaiaadQhaaaa@6406@

Von Mises Stresses

Von Mises stresses are calculated as follows:

σ Von  Mises  =  1 2 [ ( σ xx − σ yy ) 2 + ( σ yy − σ zz ) 2 + ( σ zz − σ xx ) 2 +6( σ yz 2 + σ zx 2 + σ xy 2 )] MathType@MTEF@5@5@+= feaahyart1ev3aaatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbuLwBLn hiov2DGi1BTfMBaeXatLxBI9gBaerbd9wDYLwzYbItLDharqqtubsr 4rNCHbGeaGqiVu0Je9sqqrpepC0xbbL8F4rqqrFfpeea0xe9Lq=Jc9 vqaqpepm0xbba9pwe9Q8fs0=yqaqpepae9pg0FirpepeKkFr0xfr=x fr=xb9adbaqaaeGaciGaaiaabeqaamaabaabaaGcbaGaeq4Wdm3aaS baaSqaaiaadAfacaWGVbGaamOBaiaaykW7caaMc8UaamytaiaadMga caWGZbGaamyzaiaadohaaeqaaOGaaGPaVlabg2da9iaaykW7daGcaa qaamaalaaabaGaaGymaaqaaiaaikdaaaGaai4waiaacIcacqaHdpWC daWgaaWcbaGaamiEaiaadIhaaeqaaOGaeyOeI0Iaeq4Wdm3aaSbaaS qaaiaadMhacaWG5baabeaakiaacMcadaahaaWcbeqaaiaaikdaaaGc cqGHRaWkcaGGOaGaeq4Wdm3aaSbaaSqaaiaadMhacaWG5baabeaaki abgkHiTiabeo8aZnaaBaaaleaacaWG6bGaamOEaaqabaGccaGGPaWa aWbaaSqabeaacaaIYaaaaOGaey4kaSIaaiikaiabeo8aZnaaBaaale aacaWG6bGaamOEaaqabaGccqGHsislcqaHdpWCdaWgaaWcbaGaamiE aiaadIhaaeqaaOGaaiykamaaCaaaleqabaGaaGOmaaaakiabgUcaRi aaiAdacaGGOaGaeq4Wdm3aa0baaSqaaiaadMhacaWG6baabaGaaGOm aaaakiabgUcaRiabeo8aZnaaDaaaleaacaWG6bGaamiEaaqaaiaaik daaaGccqGHRaWkcqaHdpWCdaqhaaWcbaGaamiEaiaadMhaaeaacaaI YaaaaOGaaiykaiaac2faaSqabaaaaa@7FE0@

Truncate Results

You can remove results data (Time Steps) from your simulation either entirely, or 'thinned out' by removing every nth result.

To truncate results data;
  1. Select File > Truncate File.


  2. In the Truncate File dialog box, specify the Start Time and End Time to define the Time Steps between which you want to remove data.
    The Start Time and End time cannot be partial Time Steps, but simulations including partial Time Steps can be truncated.
  3. Select a Step Factor from the dropdown list or specify a new value.
    This determines how often a Time Step in the range is removed. If the Step Factor is set to one, every Time Step will be retained. If it is set to greater than one, the data in the range will effectively be 'thinned out'. The greater the Step Factor, the more the data is removed.

    By default, the selected data will be truncated from the current simulation deck.

  4. Select the Create New EDEM Simulation Deck checkbox to truncate to a new simulation deck.
    The original deck is unaffected.