High performance computing and the discrete element model opportunity and challenge

Gao-Feng Zhao

The discrete element model (DEM) has become a popular numerical tool in both scientific research and engineering applications. Despite many advantages, high computational requirement is one of the primary drawbacks of the method [CUN 01]. Modern computers have provided powerful hardware platforms for High Performance Computing (HPC); however, existing DEM codes are usually programmed in a serial manner, making them unable to use modern computing resources fully. Thus, a parallel DEM code is usually required.