Calibration and Validation of Viscoelastic Contact Models in Collision Simulations of Pickled Radishes by DEM

ABSTRACT Accurate simulation of viscoelastic collision behavior is a key technology for addressing the challenge of collision posture adjustment in automated pickled radish processing. This study determined the coefficient of restitution (0.17–0.32) of pickled radishes through free‐fall experiments. Based on the discrete element method (DEM) approach, this study systematically compared six viscoelastic normal contact models: Hunt–Crossley (HC), Lee and Herrmann (LH), Lichtensteiger (Li), Flores (F), Kuwabara and Kono (KK), and Tsuji (Ts). Results indicate that the Tsuji model best matches experimental data in predicting contact duration, rebound velocity, and peak contact force, establishing it as the optimal model for simulating pickled radish collisions. Further simulations reveal that increasing the geometric radius enhances peak contact force but shortens contact duration. Based on the Tsuji model, the coefficient of restitution decreases linearly with increasing impact velocity. In tangential collisions, a critical impact angle ( θ = 55°) exists: angles below this threshold exhibit a slip‐to‐roll transition, while angles above result in pure sliding. This study provides key parameters and model selection criteria for simulating pickled radish collisions, offering theoretical guidance for food processing equipment design.