Efficient multi-scale staggered coupling of discrete and boundary element methods for dynamic problems

This paper presents a novel and highly efficient approach for coupling the Discrete Element Method (DEM) and the Boundary Element Method (BEM) for time-domain simulations of dynamic problems, utilising multi-scale staggered time integration. While the DEM captures phenomena with discontinuous behaviours, such as fracturing and granular flow, the BEM excels in accurately modelling seismic wave propagation in infinite domains. By separately solving the governing equations of the DEM and BEM at different time instants, the proposed scheme considerably enhances computational efficiency compared to conventional monolithic coupling schemes. The incorporation of non-conforming interfaces enables larger time steps in the BEM, thereby reducing computational costs and memory usage. Moreover, an innovative coupling of DEM rotations with the BEM displacement field is introduced, leading to more accurate and realistic modelling of complex dynamics. Numerical experiments are conducted to demonstrate the superior accuracy and efficiency of the proposed method, establishing its potential for modelling a wide range of dynamic problems.