Circular or spherical particles in Discrete Element Method (DEM) possess limitations on achieving desired angle of repose for some granular assemblies. However, by using various shapes/clumps of particles, the limitation posed by the circular or spherical particles on achieving angle of repose can be minimized. In this paper, 2D DEM simulation has been used to investigate the effect of particle shapes on (a) angle of repose, where the aim is to achieve the angle of repose of 35 observed in a laboratory scale sand pile experiment, and (b) force displacement behaviour of granular assembly. The simulated results show that the particle shapes have strong influence on the angle of repose but have a less effect on force displacement behaviour on the granular assembly. Crown Copyright (C) 2017 The Society of Powder Technology Japan. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.