Numerical Granular Modelling Techniques (09.-13.02.2026)

The course focuses on application and introduction into modern numerical simulation software packages particularly granular modelling techniques used in different geoscientific fields.

Different geoscientific processes are simulated, analysed and interpret.

- application of granular commercial codes: PFC2D
- application of granular academic codes: OpenFOAM

The participants in the course develop a numerical model to simulate a specific geoscientific process (e.g. sediment transport process, tectonic process, geodynamic process, etc.). The specific geodynamic background, model settings, configurations and interpretations will be documented in a short oral presentation. This presentation will be evaluated by the lecturers. The final note is the average of both – the model development and the individual presentation.

seminar paper

1) Own course material and exercise files
2) Online help for the individual software packages

1st Day: Introoduction into numerical modelling; theoretical background: continuums model approach vs. granular modelling approach; how to built a model?
2nd Day: Introduction into the theory of granular simulation techniques; application of different software package (PFC, SPH, OpenFOAM)
3rd Day: Individual excersises using online tutorials
4th Day: Own model setup and model calculation
5th Day: Own model setup and model calculation
6th Day: Presentation of own results
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Notebook-Pool