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Tutorials
Start using EDEM functionality with our interactive tutorials.
Tutorial 3 Part 1 - Rock Box
This tutorial covers the simulation setup suitable for using the Altair Student Edition. It can be established quickly and the simulation time is low (~2 minutes on 2 CPU cores).
EDEM Simulator - Run the Simulation
Once you have set up the model, learn how to run fast and efficient simulations using EDEM Simulator.

Welcome
About EDEM
EDEM is a high-performance simulation software for bulk and granular materials.
What's New
New features and enhancements available in EDEM.
Release Notes
This section contains information about the EDEM release, such as key features, enhancements, bug fixes, and known issues.
Tutorials
Start using EDEM functionality with our interactive tutorials.
- Tutorial 1 - Conveyor
  This introductory tutorial covers the basics of EDEM and shows how to set up, run, and analyze a simulation.
- Tutorial 2 - Screw Auger
  This tutorial describes how to set up and analyze an EDEM simulation.
- Tutorial 3 Part 1 - Rock Box
  This tutorial covers the simulation setup suitable for using the Altair Student Edition. It can be established quickly and the simulation time is low (~2 minutes on 2 CPU cores).
  - EDEM Creator - Set up the Model
    Learn how to set up a simulation model and equipment, and define the generation of bulk materials using EDEM Creator.
  - EDEM Simulator - Run the Simulation
    Once you have set up the model, learn how to run fast and efficient simulations using EDEM Simulator.
  - EDEM Analyst - Analyze Your Results
    Learn how to review, examine, and analyze the results of the simulation using EDEM Analyst.
- Tutorial 3 Part 2 - Mixed Shape Solver
  This tutorial explains how this simulation is modified to be a high-fidelity model. This extended simulation requires a CUDA compatible GPU to run and is not suitable for the Student Edition.
Get Started with EDEM
The EDEM user interface comprises three icons for each simulation component - Creator, Simulator, and Analyst.
EDEM Creator
EDEM Creator is the pre-processor for creating an EDEM simulation model, including setting up equipment and defining the generation of bulk materials.
EDEM Simulator
EDEM Simulator is a powerful solver used for fast and efficient simulations.
EDEM Analyst
EDEM Analyst is the post-processor used to analyze and visualize the results of your simulation.
EDEM Contact Models
A Contact Model describes how elements behave when they come into contact with each other.
EDEM Cal Utility
EDEM Cal is a utility which works with EDEM and is designed to assist in performing calibration.
GPU CUDA Guide
The EDEM CUDA GPU module uses the latest General Purpose Computing on Graphical Processing Units (GPU) technology.
Programming Guide
The EDEM Programming Guide describes the EDEM API.
Coupling Interface Programming Guide
The Coupling Interface Programming Guide provides an overview of how to use the EDEM Coupling Interface to couple with a generic CFD code and/or Multi Body dynamics codes.
EDEMpy
EDEMpy is a Python library for accessing EDEM data from .h5 files (the underlying EDEM file format). EDEMpy does not require prior knowledge of advanced programming.
EDEM Solver Capabilities
EDEM contains four solver engines.
Appendix
This section provides additional information about how to estimate simulation time, supported EDEM File types, attribute definitions, and so on.
EDEM Terminology
Definitions of terms used in EDEM.
References and Bibliography
This section cites the contributions made by various authors and sources that have been used as reference material for EDEM, and the specifics of how they have been applied can be found in the individual contact model sections.

EDEM Simulator - Run the Simulation

Once you have set up the model, learn how to run fast and efficient simulations using EDEM Simulator.

To run the simulation:

Click the

icon on the toolbar to open EDEM Simulator.

Set the Time options

The first step in running the simulation is to set the Time Step. The Time Step is the amount of time between iterations (calculations). Since the particles in this model are loosely packed for the majority of the simulation, set a Time Step of 20% of the Rayleigh Time Step.

To set the Time Step:

In this simulation, ensure that the Auto Time Step checkbox is not selected.
Set the Fixed Time Step upper to 20%.
The numerical value of the Time Step will be calculated automatically.
Set the simulation time and data write-out frequency. The simulation time is the amount of real time your simulation represents.
1. In the Simulation Time section, set the Total Time to 15 s.
2. Set the Target Save Interval to 0.01 s to specify the write-out frequency.
  This writes out a full EDEM save point and all the particle information every 0.01s. Large simulations can result in very large file sizes. It is recommended to consider how often data is required. Saving data every 0.01 s allows a video to be created at 100 Hz when the simulation is complete.

Set the Grid options

The next step in running the simulation is to set the grid options that can be used to optimize the simulation.

To set the grid options:

Set the Cell Size to 3R_min. (R_min = the smallest particle radius in the simulation).

Note: The number of grid cells (Approx. Number of Cells) is stated. The simulation results are not affected by the number of grid cells, but are affected only by the time taken to reach them. The more grid cells a simulation uses, the more system RAM is required. It is recommended to find a balance between RAM usage and simulation performance. For simulations with a narrow size distribution, the ideal value will be between 2-3 R_min, but for wider size distributions, this value may increase.

Run the Simulation

The last step is to run the simulation.

To run the simulation:

Click the Start Progress icon in the Simulation window.
In the Viewer Controls, click the Refresh Viewer icon or the enable Auto Update icon at any point to update the Viewer to view the progress of the simulation.

Next Step - Analyze your Results