The role of geometric constraints in random packing of non-spherical particles

A generic and digitally implemented geometrical packing algorithm is compared with a discrete element method based dynamic packing model, through ten case studies encompassing oblate-to-prolate spheroids, in terms of bulk volume packing fraction, bed height, orientation distribution and mean coordination number. The broad agreement in simulation results points to the conclusion that geometrical constraints play a dominant role over physical contact forces in determining the structure of a random packing and physical contact forces are a means to enforce geometrical constraints.