Description This project will investigate the discrete element method (DEM) and how that can be used with the finite element method (FEM) in order to analyse mechanical engineering structures that interact with bulk materials. As a complex example, the bucket of a loader for example interacts with the aggregate which in turn puts complex forces on the machine. The DEM models the aggregate using particles which can be simulated and tracked. The FEM on the other hand is used to model a solid continuum. Integrating the DEM and FEM methods result in detailed stress distributions and help better optimised designs to be created. ANSYS FEA tool is widely available and used in the mechanical engineering industry. There are several DEM software tools such as EDEM or Rocky, that can integrate with ANSYS Workbench. However these tools are very costly and do not have educational versions. There are however open source, free DEM software, such as Yade, that can allow some level of integration. This project will investigate using Python etc. software programming languages and develop basic DEM models starting from simple benchmark problems. The ANSYS FEA software and integration of the DEM will be investigated so that loads are transferred to the FE models for structural analysis using static, fatigue and fracture mechanics tools. Simple case studies will be developed and simulated. Key Objectives Literature and background survey in discrete element modelling. ANSYS FEA model development and interfacing studies. Integration of the DEM with ANSYS Mechanical FEA. Development of DEM/FEM benchmark studies. Development of DEM/FEM analysis of simple structures as case studies.