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Analysis of institutional authors

Ramirez-Gomez, AlvaroCorresponding Author

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December 3, 2025
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Test Apparatus for Determining the Particle-to-Particle Friction Coefficient

Publicated to: Applied Sciences-Basel. 15 (22): 11939- - 2025-11-10 15(22), DOI: 10.3390/app152211939

Authors:

Ramirez-Gomez, Alvaro; Nielsen, Jorgen; Amodio, Lidia; Pagano, Maurizio
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Affiliations

Aalborg Univ, Dept Built Environm, AC Meyers Vaenge 15, DK-2450 Copenhagen, Denmark - Author
Univ Politecn Madrid, Ctr Tecnol Segur & Calidad Ind Energet & Minas TEC, Madrid 28040, Spain - Author
Univ Politecn Madrid, Sch Engn & Ind Design, Dept Mech Chem & Ind Design Engn, Madrid 28012, Spain - Author
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Abstract

Featured Application The specific application of this research is on DEM modelling of phenomena that occur during the handling of bulk solids in industrial processes.Abstract Granular materials usually require the design of specialised equipment for their processing and transport. Nowadays, equipment design increasingly relies on modelling techniques to support decision-making during the design process. The Discrete Element Method (DEM) is a numerical technique that enables the prediction of forces and displacements acting on individual particles. The design of ship loaders, dumpers, screw conveyors, conveyor belts, moving floors, bucket elevators, truck feeders, hoppers, and silos can all benefit from DEM-based predictions of particle behaviour. To develop DEM models able to accurately predict the particle behaviour, it is essential to characterise the material by determining its physical and mechanical properties. Key parameters include particle density, elastic modulus, Poisson's ratio, particle-to-wall friction, and particle-to-particle friction. In this research, a methodology is proposed for determining the particle-to-particle friction coefficient. For this purpose, a test apparatus was designed and constructed to perform direct measurements of sliding angles. The proposed method yielded an average particle-to-particle friction coefficient of mu = 0.62, based on twelve independent sliding-angle tests. The measurements showed an overall relative standard deviation of 3.4%, indicating good repeatability and demonstrating that the developed apparatus provides reliable and consistent friction values for granular particles. The primary aim of the study was to validate the test method. Hand-made clay samples were produced, arranging the particles in different configurations and placing them in various orientations on the apparatus. The results confirm that the proposed method is suitable for determining representative particle-scale friction parameters, offering a simple and repeatable approach that can support DEM calibration and enhance the predictive capability of granular flow simulations.
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Keywords

DemDesignDischargeDiscrete elementFlowFriction coefficientGranular materialsHoppersModelSegregationSiloSimulationsTest methodValidation

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal Applied Sciences-Basel due to its progression and the good impact it has achieved in recent years, according to the agency WoS (JCR), it has become a reference in its field. In the year of publication of the work, 2025, it was in position 50/179, thus managing to position itself as a Q2 (Segundo Cuartil), in the category Engineering, Multidisciplinary. Notably, the journal is positioned en el Cuartil Q2 para la agencia Scopus (SJR) en la categoría Engineering (Miscellaneous).

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Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2026-04-25:

  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 2 (PlumX).

With a more dissemination-oriented intent and targeting more general audiences, we can observe other more global scores such as:

    It is essential to present evidence supporting full alignment with institutional principles and guidelines on Open Science and the Conservation and Dissemination of Intellectual Heritage. A clear example of this is:

    • The work has been submitted to a journal whose editorial policy allows open Open Access publication.
    • Assignment of a Handle/URN as an identifier within the deposit in the Institutional Repository: https://oa.upm.es/94748/

    As a result of the publication of the work in the institutional repository, statistical usage data has been obtained that reflects its impact. In terms of dissemination, we can state that, as of

    • Views: 21
    • Downloads: 6
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    Leadership analysis of institutional authors

    This work has been carried out with international collaboration, specifically with researchers from: Denmark.

    There is a significant leadership presence as some of the institution’s authors appear as the first or last signer, detailed as follows: First Author (RAMIREZ GOMEZ, ALVARO) and Last Author (Pagano, Maurizio).

    the author responsible for correspondence tasks has been RAMIREZ GOMEZ, ALVARO.

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