What is Yade?
Yade is an adaptable and open-source platform designed for discrete numerical modeling, particularly through the Discrete Element Method. Its primary computational components are crafted in C++, which supports a versatile object model that allows for the independent implementation of new algorithms and interfaces. Python is utilized for efficiently setting up scenes, managing simulations, executing postprocessing tasks, and troubleshooting. This framework is ideal for both researchers and engineers who need the capability to design, run, analyze, modify, and enhance particle-based simulations via scripts, interactive commands, graphical interfaces, and reusable elements. Users can create simulations using dedicated generators or directly through Python scripts, providing significant flexibility in crafting bespoke models, importing geometries, reusing code, and controlling the entire simulation workflow. Each simulation is encapsulated in a scene that includes bodies, their interactions, and the resultant forces, with bodies defined by their geometrical shape, material attributes, and state variables. Furthermore, Yade's structure encourages collaboration and the sharing of innovations within the research community, fostering ongoing enhancements in simulation methodologies. This collaborative aspect not only boosts individual projects but also contributes to the collective knowledge and advancement in the field of discrete numerical modeling.