Discrete Model is based on the description of the physical state (velocity, position, temperature, magnetic moment, electric potential ..) of a large number of discrete elements that form the media to be studied. It is not basedon a continuous description of the media. Thus, it is particularly well adapted to describe media evolution driven by discontinuous phenomena like the description of multi fracturation followed by debris flow like wear study.
Recently, the use of discrete model has been widened to face problem encountered with complex rheological behavior and/or multi-physical behavior. Multi-physical problems face complex mathematical formulation because of the mixing of different families of differential equations when continuous approach is chosen. With the discrete model, each particle has a physical state and state evolution is due to local physical particle interaction: it is often much simple to write. From the beginning of the years 2000, this method has been widely applied for the study of tribological problems. Wear has been investigated[1], thermo-mechanical behavior of a contact[2], subsurface damage due to surface polishing[4]… Recently, it has been shownhow quantitative results can be obtained with this method[4]. To help and promote research in this area, a platform GranOO has been developed under a C++ environment and is distributed under thefree GPL license. The goal of this platform is to offer to researchers, especially in the tribology domain, a numerical and easy to use environment to facilitate the access to Discrete Element simulations. The main aspect of this platform ispresented in the extended abstract and some applicationsgiven as examples. Details can be found on url www.granoo.org.
