Numerical simulation of the digging process with an excavator bucket using the discrete element method

V.A. Plaschinsky, E.I. Sheshukova, A.E. Salimov, D.A. Shibanov, S.L. Ivanov
Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining University, Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation
Russian Mining Industry №4 / 2025 p. 144-150

Abstract: The paper examines the digging process with an excavator bucket. Numerical simulations of the excavation process with variable chip size, particle size and bulk density of the rocks were carried out in order to establish these parameters for the digging force and the power. As the result of numerical experiments, the adequacy and accuracy of the numerical model have been confirmed using the criterion of compliance of the values of the digging force and the volume of the scooped rock with the physical model. The functional dependencies have been determined for calculating the values of the digging force and the power depending on these parameters. It has been established that, based on the energy approach, it is possible to change the time between overhauls and the type of MRO operations for a mining machine depending on the intensity of the resource utilization. Numerical modeling of the work processes taking place in these machines is an effective tool that makes it possible to accurately assess the contribution of various factors to the intensity of their resource utilization.

Keywords: mine excavator, DEM, numerical modeling, material interaction parameters, loose medium

For citation: Plaschinsky V.A., Sheshukova E.I., Salimov A.E., Shibanov D.A., Ivanov S.L. Numerical simulation of the digging process with an excavator bucket using the discrete element method. Russian Mining Industry. 2025;(4):144–150. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.30686/1609-9192-2025-4-144-150

Article info

Received: 17.05.2025

Revised: 18.06.2025

Accepted: 20.06.2025

Information about the authors

Vyacheslav A. Plaschinsky – Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Assistant Lecturer, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining University, Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation; https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0326-4514; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Ekaterina I. Sheshukova – Postgraduate Student, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining University, Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Abbos Erkin Ugli Salimov – Postgraduate Student, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining University, Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation

Daniil A. Shibanov – Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Ass. Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining University, Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6203-0219

Sergey L. Ivanov – Dr. Sci. (Eng.), Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining University, Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7014-2464; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Authors’ contribution

V.A. Plaschinsky – creation of the digital model, execution of the numerical experiment.

E.I. Sheshukova – designing of the calculation algorithm, execution of the physical experiment, execution of the numerical experiment.

A.E. Salimov – processing of the experimental data.

D.A. Shibanov – analysis of the initial and newly obtained data.

S.L. Ivanov – general methodological guidance, reviewing, writing the text of the article, revision.

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